BENDIGO’S economy has more good news than bad, says Federal Minister for Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation Bill Shorten.
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Mr Shorten visited Bendigo yesterday and said national unemployment figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics were positive, falling to 5.2 per cent.
But he said Victoria had experienced a “slight” increase in unemployment.
“As we know across regional Victoria it’s mixed news,” he said. “But I think in Bendigo the news is better than worse.
“When we look at what’s happening in Bendigo, we’ve seen the ongoing rise and rise of the services industry, be it education services, health services, financial services.
“We also see some strength in various construction projects.
“There is more good news than bad news in Bendigo.”
Mr Shorten said while the Bendigo Bank had experienced a drop in profit, it was still a strong local employer.
“I think global financial services have experienced significant headwinds,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of towns in Australia who wish they had a Bendigo Bank. There are 1100 people working in Bendigo right now courtesy of Bendigo Bank.”
Mr Shorten visited the area on the invitation of Labor candidate for Bendigo Lisa Chesters.