Queensland's treasurer has attempted to deflect criticism of the state's increased unemployment rate by spruiking its participation rate.
In a negative sign for the state's economy, its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has jumped significantly to 6.4 per cent, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show.
Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek seized on the figures in parliament on Thursday, describing them as "the worst result of any Australian state that month".
"Will the treasurer finally outline Labor's jobs plan for Queensland?" he asked Treasurer Curtis Pitt.
Mr Pitt countered by criticising the Opposition for using the seasonally adjusted data, saying the government regularly relied on the trend rate, which had risen only to 6.1 per cent.
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The treasurer said although the unemployment rate had risen, the participation rate had also improved.
"When the participation rate is actually higher, that means more people are actually participating in the economy," Mr Pitt said.
"They're actually trying to get a job instead of giving up and losing hope, like they lost under the previous government."
The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January is significantly higher than December's rate of 5.9 per cent.
The January rate has returned to levels seen in August and is also above the national rate of 6.0 per cent for the month.
