The NSW economy received some good news last week with the release of unemployment data showing that unemployment in NSW fell to 4.7 per cent in April.
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This figure confirms NSW’s unemployment rate has been lower than the rest of the nation for 23 consecutive months.
Data also shows that jobs in Regional NSW are on the rise.
Since the 2015 election more than 58,000 jobs have been created in regional NSW, a staggering 40 per cent of all jobs created across the state in that period.
NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, said this week that regional NSW is outstripping other states in job creation, almost triple the entire number of jobs created in WA, SA and Tasmania combined.
The unemployment rate in NSW (4.7%) is the lowest it has been since 2012, a great result for the state and most importantly the regions.
YOUNG REGIONAL ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
Supporting local talent is part of the NSW Governments ‘Create in NSW’ policy framework that is creating partnerships and guiding investment to grow a thriving arts and cultural sector.
Young artists aged between 18 and 25 can now apply for one of twenty five Young Regional Artist Scholarships.
Each scholarship will offer a grant of $10,000 to help or progress artistic experience and development covering all art forms, including dance, design arts, history, aboriginal art, literature, music and visual arts to name a few.
Our region is home to incredible talent and the government is committed to finding exceptional artists and helping them to progress.
Applications are open until June 19.
For more information email arts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au
JOURNEY TOWARDS ZERO
It has been just over a year since we launched the ‘Towards Zero’ campaign, a campaign focused on bringing down the states road toll.
The first half of last year saw a 24 per cent increase in our road toll, that’s 39 more lives lost on our roads during the same time period in 2015.
Each year more than 12,000 people are also seriously injured on our roads.
The figures are staggering and that’s why the Government introduced ‘Towards Zero’.
From June last year to the end of April 2017 we’ve actually seen a 6 per cent reduction in deaths on our roads. It is pleasing that our approach is working and that we are saving lives.
NSW Police reported that over the Easter long week end, more than 7,500 people were booked for doing the wrong thing.
As part of the government’s commitment to improving safety in country areas, we have worked with NSW Police and will be rolling out 18 sprinter vans across the state to focus on RBT and mobile drug testing.
We know people in country areas are almost five more times likely to be killed in a crash.
These sprinter vans will help reduce this risk as part of our approach to reducing road trauma.
Our region hasn’t been free from serious and fatal road incidents.
Before you hit the road and put your foot down, think of your friends and family as every death on our roads is one too many.
Until next week, stay safe.
