Recent job ads figures are a warning sign of a slowing job market in South Australia, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today.
“ANZ Job Ad figures released this week show that there was a 6.8% decline in job ads in South Australia for February that was the worst result of all states for the month,” Mr Lucas said today (see Chart 1).
“The ANZ Job Advertisements series has been accepted by most commentators as one of the leading indicators of future job growth.
“It is also of concern that a recent survey of South Australian business chief executives found that business leaders in South Australia were the least optimistic in the nation about the future of the economy.
“This survey, released by The Executive Connection, showed that one-third of local executives believed economic conditions were worsening whilst only 13% saw an improvement.
“These figures come on the back of last week’s economic growth figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that showed economic growth in South Australia in December 2005 was the equal worst in the nation.
“Whilst the Rann Government continues its political spin about jobs and the economy, it is clear that under current Government policies there are significant warning signs on the horizon about jobs growth.”