Labour force figures released today underscore the strength of the economy and Budget the Albanese Government inherited from the Coalition.

Shadow Treasurer the Hon Angus Taylor and Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash called on the Albanese Government to use that strong economy and Budget position wisely.

Mr Taylor said: “The question is whether they’ll use that extraordinarily strong position to deal with the cost of living pressures Australians are now facing or whether they will take the economy over a cliff with slower growth, higher interest rates, higher taxes, more spending and higher unemployment.”

Senator Cash said it is concerning that only 900 jobs were created across the Australian economy, well below market expectations of 25,000 new employed people for the month of September.

“The Labor Government appears to have given up on how to get more Australian workers in the economy at a time of significant skill shortage,” Senator Cash said. 

Mr Albanese should immediately pass the measures approved by the Australian Senate during the last sitting period which will double the amount pensioners can earn before their pension is affected from $300 to $600 a fortnight.

“This will help alleviate the skills shortage. Unfortunately it appears Labor will reject these measures in the House of Representatives for their own selfish political reasons,” Senator Cash said.

Today's figures show we cannot take low unemployment for granted.

“Australia still faces significant global challenges, which our economy is not immune from and Australian families are facing significant challenges as a result of the Albanese Government,’’ Senator Cash said.

With power prices set to rise by 35% next year because of the policies of this Labor Government, Australian families and small businesses will feel the impact. Unfortunately higher costs will increase the pressure on jobs.

“The Albanese Government needs to ensure that next week's Budget does not increase taxes on Australian families, does not increase taxes on business and does not cut funding to vital programs which get Australians into jobs,’’ Senator Cash said.

The Albanese Government also needs to ensure that their Industrial Relations legislation, due to be introduced next week, focuses on creating jobs instead of appeasing their union donors and union preselectors.

Any move towards industry wide bargaining and abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission will be disastrous for our economy and create industrial relations chaos.