Motion Accorded Priority

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields) (16:00 ): The last time we debated this State's economy was when the member for Kiama moved a similar motion in this Chamber. I like the member for Hornsby; he is not a bad chap. But it seems to me that he has been taking lessons from the member for Kiama, who came into this Chamber, beat his chest and said, "New South Wales has the strongest economic growth in the country. New South Wales is No. 1." However, he forgot to check his facts because New South Wales was actually No. 5. One of the greatest indicators of whether a State is No. 1 is employment—an issue to which the member for Hornsby referred. Let me go through the facts, which I know the member for Kiama does not seem to like.

When members refer to statistics they should be aware that there are so many variations it is a little unfair to refer to only one figure at any point in time. I wish to refer to unemployment figures or statistics. When this Government came to office the unemployment figure was 5.6 per cent but it is now 6.6 per cent. The New South Wales economy might be No. 1, but we have more unemployment in this State. If the statistics for New South Wales are so good why are more people unemployed? More importantly, why are more young people unemployed? Our economy relies on future income earners and taxpayers, who are currently unemployed. When this Government came to office the unemployment figure for south-western Sydney was 7.8 per cent and it is now 14.2 per cent. Government members forgot to mention that fact.

In 2011 youth unemployment in the Blacktown local government area, one of the biggest in the nation, was 11 per cent and it is now 13.3 per cent. New South Wales is No. 1 in increasing unemployment, in particular youth unemployment. As I said earlier, the member for Hornsby has been taking lessons from the member for Kiama. This Government has destroyed TAFE—a system that skills up young people in local areas, enables them to get jobs in the future, enables them to earn decent incomes, and enables them to contribute to our economy. I congratulate the member for Hornsby on moving this motion. Under his Government, unemployment is the No. 1 issue in this State.