AUSTRALIA’S unemployment rate continued to fall in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). A seasonally adjusted 0.1 per cent drop sees unemployment sitting at 5.1 per cent.

In its latest Labour Force report, the ABS indicated 46,300 jobs were created in the month, with around 12,000 being full-time roles.

The positive employment figures drew comments from government and industry.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten said the jump in employment was a remarkable result considering the downturn in Europe and the loss of millions of international jobs.

“Australia’s unemployment rate is now less than half that seen in Europe, and significantly lower than many of the major advanced economies.” Mr Shorten said.

ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence took the opportunity to publicly say that the labour figures show that Australia’s economic situation does not justify big-business slashing jobs.

“We need to pull together to minimise job cuts like the recent high profile announcements at places like ANZ, Toyota, Holden and Qantas, which are distressing  for all workers involved and for all other workers in these sectors, whose job security  is under threat by big bosses who continue to be more than profitable,” Mr Lawrence said.

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird said the NSW unemployment rate, which fell from 5.6 per cent in December to 5.2 per cent in January was encouraging despite the current economic challenges facing the state.

“Since the NSW Liberals & Nationals came into government 18,000 of the 38,000 jobs created across the country were created in NSW,” Mr Baird said.

Northern Territory Treasurer Delia Lawrie said the territories unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent – the second lowest in the country – was evidence of the underlying strength in its economy.

“In tough global conditions, our economy continues to perform, keeping Territorians in jobs with a 2.8 per cent increase in full time employment compared to January 2011,” Ms Lawrie said.

South Australia saw 400 more people employed in January and an unemployment rate of 5.1 per cent, prompting Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister Tom Kenyon to say that business confidence in the state was strong.

“Despite the Opposition trying their best to talk down the South Australian economy and talk down business confidence, it is clear the business community is not listening to their negativity,” Mr Kenyon said.

“More people are in work, our youth unemployment rate is the lowest in the nation and South Australians should be confident that there is a bright future ahead for this great state.

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said that the January figures of 15,000 jobs losses in the state signaled a need for the premier to deliver a jobs plan.

“It seems that not a day goes by without more job losses being announced, but the premier appears unwilling or unable to outline what he will do to stop them,” Mr Andrews said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said Queensland’s trend unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent was more than a full per cent higher than the other resource-rich state – Western Australia.

“At a time when jobseekers should be hitting the market, (the ABS) figures reveal the participation rate has fallen yet again…There are now 135,000 people unemployed in Queensland – 18,900 more than there was at the time of the last election,” Mr Nicholls said.

Tasmania experienced a jump in unemployment with the rate rising from 6.2 per cent to 6.6 per cent in trend terms.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings was disappointed with the result.

“This is a disappointing result, and again shows why we need to work with business to generate investment and the jobs we need to grow our economy into the future,” Ms Giddings said.

Western Australia recorded the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 4.2 per cent.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy director Nicole Roocke was reported as saying that the growth in the resources sector was driving unemployment in the state but still needed more skilled workers.

“It’s certainly the case that skilled workers in Western Australia are able to find employment. It’s certainly the case that the resources sector is also looking to other parts of Australia to be able to source skilled labour and there’s opportunities for people, not only in the resources sector, but also in other parts of the economy over here, for job opportunities.,” Ms Roocke said.

This comes as WA Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the state’s workforce must continue to grow strongly to avoid a potential shortfall of 76,000 workers by 2015 (read more in WA news).

The January 2012 ABS Labour Force report can be viewed here.