NSW rebuffs union call for jobs summit

2 Aug 2012, 1:26 pm   -   Source: AAP
Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner has rejected a push by Unions NSW for a jobs summit. (AAP)

Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner has rejected a push by Unions NSW for a jobs summit. (AAP)

Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner has rejected a push by Unions NSW for a jobs summit, arguing the state has Australia's second lowest jobless rate.

Unions have written to NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell asking him to chair a jobs summit aimed at tackling rising unemployment, but the state government has rejected the idea.

With the NSW unemployment rate at 5.1 per cent, Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon says there is evidence that the manufacturing, construction and financial sectors are losing workers on a weekly basis.

"Action is needed and Unions NSW is therefore asking that the government convene a jobs roundtable, chaired by you, as a first step to addressing this problem," Mr Lennon said in the open letter to Mr O'Farrell.

He proposed that employers, government representatives, academics and unions be included on the roundtable, which would explore the issues of rising unemployment, potential growth industries, skills training and research ideas.

"The roundtable would, we believe, go a long way in boosting confidence in the state's ability to provide long-term employment opportunities," Mr Lennon said.

"I encourage you to support the concept."

But Acting Premier Andrew Stoner declined to support the jobs summit idea, arguing 26,000 jobs had been created in NSW since the coalition came to power in March 2011.

He also pointed to Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data that shows NSW has the nation's second lowest jobless rate.

Mr Stoner also hit back at Unions NSW for opposing government moves to rein in WorkCover's $4.1 billion deficit.

"It should be noted that Mark Lennon opposed our changes to WorkCover, which have saved an estimated 12,600 jobs in NSW," he said in a statement.

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