Queensland's treasurer says the state's rise in trend unemployment proves why job-creation measures outlined in his recent budget measures are needed.
But Curtis Pitt later clarified his comments, insisting that didn't mean the government's efforts to reduce unemployment since last year's election win haven't been working.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures published on Thursday showed Mr Pitt's preferred measure, trend unemployment, increased from 6.3 per cent in April to 6.4 per cent in May.
Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted figure, which takes into account different variables, fell slightly from 6.5 per cent to 6.4 per cent.
Despite the drop, it's still well above the national jobless rate of 5.7 per cent.
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"The unemployment figures released today show exactly why our Back to Work plan is so critical," Mr Pitt said.
He was referring to a $100 million package announced in his second budget on Tuesday that aimed to create 8000 jobs in regional Queensland.
But when asked whether that meant Labor's current plans to tackle unemployment weren't working, Mr Pitt replied: "Not at all, I don't think it shows that at all.
"We have been creating more than 1000 full time jobs each month since coming to office."
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the figures were disappointing.
"The participation rate has come down, so fewer people are looking for work," he said.
"More people, if you like, (are) giving up on finding jobs under Labor here in Queensland."
Seasonally adjusted, Queensland has the third highest unemployment rate out of the states, behind South Australia (6.9 per cent) and Tasmania (6.5).
