A big shift in f/t jobs to p/t jobs. This sort of raw data can be interpreted many ways. Just wondering if it is an early sign of the new IR laws and a return of the unfair dismissal laws. better to employ casual p/t so can dismiss easier than f/t workers..........
Unemployment edges up to 4.5pc
The Australian jobless rate rose to a two-year high of 4.5 per cent in December, compared to 4.4 per cent in November, data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.
Economists had been bracing for a fall of 20,000 in the overall number of people employed - but today's figures showed a drop of just 1,200.
While full-time jobs plummeted by almost 44,000 the number of part-time positions surged by nearly 43,000.
The proportion of the population in work or looking for work fell by 0.1 of a percentage point to 65 per cent.
The jobs slump comes amid warnings from the Government to both unions and industry to put jobs retention as the top priority ahead of pay rises.
As the economy continues to weaken, the Reserve Bank is tipped to continue its rate cutting campaign when it meets next month.
