New ABS figures released today show a staggering 18,900 jobs have been lost on the Gold Coast in the year to September.

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the job losses on the Gold Coast had been the biggest recorded in any Queensland region.

“Unlike Labor, these shocking figures do not lie,” Mr Mander said.

“The Gold Coast economy has shed more jobs in the last year than anywhere else in our state.

“Labor has no plan and no Budget for our economy.

“Under Labor, Queensland has had the highest unemployment rate in the nation for the last four years and it’s growing every month.

“More than 209,000 Queenslanders are now out of work.

“The only way out of this economic crisis is to change government on October 31.

“Only an LNP Government will get the Gold Coast working again.”

The ABS regional jobs data released today showed that unemployment rose by around 1000 on the Gold Coast in September.

More than 22,000 locals are now officially unemployed on the Gold Coast, including 8,300 young people.

“The LNP’s economic plan will inject $1.1 billion into the Queensland economy before Christmas by giving drivers a $300 rego rebate,” Mr Mander said.

“An LNP Government will build new roads, bridges and dams to create jobs – including the Second M1 and urgently-needed M1 upgrades.

“There will be no new taxes under the LNP and we will back Queensland manufacturers with major electricity price reductions to create new jobs.

“Only an LNP Government will get Queensland working again.”