The Dec 2016 ABS original data for regional labour markets was released this morning and, upon analysis of the Conus Trend series, we see further confirmation of the stronger picture in the Cairns SA4 region. Even the Townsville region, whilst still very weak, sees some slight improvements. In Cairns the …read more
The release today by the ABS of their original, unadjusted regional labour force data allows us to update our own Conus Trend series. What we see is (again) confirmation of the improving story in Cairns but, unfortunately, a reversal of the brighter picture for Townsville that we noted (and questioned!) …read more
The ABS release of original regional labour force data for September, as always, needs to be considered in light of the Conus Trend to make much sense of what can be very volatile data. In Cairns we see the Conus Trend unemployment rate fall to 8.4% (after an unrevised 8.7% …read more
Pete was interviewed by Kier Shorey on ABC Far North this morning about the latest regional labour force data for Cairns and Townsville.
Today saw the release of the ABS regional labour force data for August. Our own Conus Trend series attempts to make some sense of the original, unadjusted data. In Cairns SA4 the original data showed a decline in the unemployment rate to 8.1% with 100 total jobs lost. We now have …read more
Today saw the ABS releases their original July labour force data for the regions. Our own Conus Trend analysis allows us to make some sense of this highly volatile data-set. The headline Conus Trend unemployment rates in both Cairns and Townsville SA4 areas sees some improvement over the month, although …read more
A more detailed analysis of the Conus Trend Queensland Regional Jobs data released yesterday (see here for comments and to download the data) shows us clearly how the Rest of Queensland (RoQ) is falling behind Greater Brisbane in almost all measures over the past 12 months. Greater Brisbane has added …read more
Today saw the release of the ABS Regional Labour Force data and we have now completed work on the full set of Conus Trend estimates. What we find is an improving story in Cairns driven by a pick up in full-time work and employment in the middle aged (25-44 years) …read more
Our recent posts on youth unemployment (see here for an example) have certainly created some interest. John McCarthy from the Courier Mail spoke to me on Sunday which resulted in an article in the paper on Monday, which was also picked up by The Cairns Post; it quoted extensively from …read more
There has been much talk recently about the very high level of youth unemployment in the Cairns region; and rightly so. We’ve been taking a close look at the issue for some time and believe that the Conus Trend data series we’ve developed gives us the best and clearest picture …read more