News & Events » Dismay as Outer Suburbs Jobs Program is Cut
National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) Chair Mayor Paul Pisasale has expressed his dismay to the Federal Government over its recent cut to a key jobs program for residents in the outer suburbs.
"As part of the 2011-12 Federal Budget the Government pledged $100m for the Suburban Jobs Program. While not a lot of money, it was a great start. It showed the Government was serious about helping improve access to jobs for residents in these suburbs and provided an opportunity to demonstrate what can be done. Our research shows how the two speed economy plays out in our areas with residents not having the same opportunities and consequently having worse outcomes than their host metropolitan regions.
"The Suburban Jobs Program's aim is to improve access to employment to residents in the outer suburbs of our major cities, our growth suburbs. It saddens me greatly that over 50% of the funds allocated have been diverted to other programs before the fund even commences, reducing the allocation to $45m.
"The program is of major important to our residents who often have to travel great distances to their places of employment. It is also important to the nation as a whole as our evidence demonstrates that improved access to jobs will boost national productivity. The much reduced Suburban Jobs Program will have far less capacity to do that. Areas such as these are part of the solution - cutting this program makes them part of the problem, as we are setting our young people up to fail if they can't access jobs. I urge the Government to reconsider this cut to avoid a worsening of the two speed economy."
While Cr Pisasale is upset at the cut in funding, he is optimistic about the future."The Federal Government has listened to what we have said about the need to assist those in outer suburban growth areas. We now look forward to discussing with the Government opportunities for a more substantial commitment. The most important thing about growth is getting it right for the next generation."
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