Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

No slowdown in labour market yet

Updated at 8:05 am on 11 February 2013

A slowing economy in Australia is yet to be reflected in the labour market.

unemployment was steady in January at 5.4% after a fall of nearly 10,000 in full-time jobs was more than offset by a gain of more than 20,000 part-time positions.

However, Radio New Zealand's Sydney correspondent reports weakness is evident is at state level.

While unemployment in Western Australia is at 4%, an historic low, the manufacturing states of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania are struggling.

Worst is Tasmania, where the jobless rate is nudging 8%. Economists also point out that participation rates are falling, which is slowing the increase in unemployment overall.

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