By Luke Voogt
Geelong is undergoing a “jobs resurgence”, according to the State Government, with almost 20,000 new jobs in the year to June.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens said strong investment by the Andrews government had led to more job opportunities in Geelong.
“We’re fighting for Geelong’s future,” she said.
Last month the government committed $1 million for a full business case for the proposed Geelong Convention Centre.
“The recent announcement shows the getting it done approach of this government,“ Ms Couzens said.
According to ABS data, the unemployment rate in the Geelong region – which includes Surf Coast and Lara – was five per cent below the national and state average in the last quarter.
Geelong’s unemployment rate of five per cent is down from 6.2 per cent at the same time last year, and 8.2 per cent at the time of the last election.
The government also highlighted youth employment figures which have risen to 18,200, from 15,500 at November 2014.
The number of youth unemployed has also fallen 31 per cent from 3500 to 2400.
G21 CEO, Elaine Carbines, praised the government’s commitment to the Portarlington Safe Harbour, Barwon Water’s headquarter redevelopment and the future Worksafe building.
She added the Andrews government’s $1 million commitment to the G21 Regional Oppurtunities for Work project was helping to improve job prospects in Geelong.
However Coalition MP Simon Ramsay said Labor was claiming credit for Coalition projects.
He said then-premier Dennis Napthine announced and committed the money for the development of Barwon Water Headquarters in 2014.
“I think it’s a bit rich of the Labor government to crow about job opportunities. Most of the employment trends have been a result of investment by the previous government and the Federal Government.”
Mr Ramsay said the proposed Geelong Convention Centre – which is on G21’s priority list – had been “stonewalled by two years of inactivity by the Andrew’s government”.
He said the Coalition already made a committment to the Convention Centre in the lead-up to the election. He added the upcoming closure of Ford could lead to job losses.
South West Barwon MP Andrew Katos echoed Mr Ramsay’s comments and added the Andrews government had failed to deliver Bay West – a proposed major port near Geelong.
Labor talked up the proposed port in the lead-up to the 2014 State Election.
