Govt must make jobs top priority: Libs

11 Dec 2008, 5:11 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Lower-than-expected unemployment figures are pleasing but the government must work to guarantee Australian jobs, the federal opposition says.

Lower-than-expected unemployment figures are pleasing but the government must work to guarantee Australian jobs, the federal opposition says.

The jobless rate is at highest level in a year, climbing to 4.4 per cent due to the economic slowdown, Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday shows.

The workforce was also cut by a seasonally adjusted 15,600 in November, although full-time jobs rose by 8,800.

Economists had expected a 15,000 drop in jobs and an unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent, while the government has forecast the jobless rate to hit 5.0 per cent by June 2009.

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull said jobs should be the Labor government's top priority.

"While the jobs figure is not as adverse as many had predicted, the government must not be complacent about this," Mr Turnbull told reporters.

"Every aspect of government policy - every element, every program, every priority - must be focused on jobs.

"That is the single greatest priority government faces today and that is what we are focused on."

The monthly labour force data comes after the world's second biggest miner Rio Tinto said it would cut its global workforce by 14,000, including 5,500 full-time jobs.

Mr Turnbull called on the mining giant to announce how many Australian jobs would go.

"We hope that for the benefit of all its employees Rio Tinto is able to clarify where those job losses are going to be so that those employees whose jobs are not at risk will get the assurance of continued employment," he said.

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