A ‘Sunbelt’ Labour Market in Australia: The Sunshine Coast, 1996—2001
Richard B. Sappey, Denise Conroy and Margaret Steinberg
Working Paper No. 01/07
April 2007
About the Authors
- Richard B. Sappey
Institute of Land, Water and Society
Heffron Building
Charles Sturt University
Panorama Avenue
Bathurst NSW 2795
Australia - Phone +61 2 6338 4828
- Denise K. Conroy
Faculty of Business
Queensland University of Technology
GPO Box 2434
Brisbane, QLD, 4001
Australia - Phone + 61 7 3864 2746
- Margaret Steinberg AM
Centre of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Studies
Queensland University of Technology
GPO Box 2434
Brisbane, QLD, 4001
Australia - Phone +61 7 3138 9298
Charles Sturt University – Faculty of Business Working Paper Series
Managing Editor: Associate Professor Jayne Bisman, School of Accounting, Bathurst
Editors: Dr P. Mathews, School of Commerce, Wagga Wagga
Associate Professor M. O'Mullane, School of Business, Albury
Dr R. Tierney, School of Marketing and Management, Bathurst
Dr D Ardagh, School of Commerce, Wagga Wagga
Ms K Mather, School of Computing and Mathematics, Wagga Wagga
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Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Background
- Methodology
- The Local Context
- The Sunshine Coast Labour Market
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- List of References
- Acknowledgements
Abstract
This paper explores the principal characteristics of a ‘sunbelt’ labour market as a particular type. While there are advantages of this and similar regions where these have developed in attracting population growth, the labour market in this case exhibits relatively high rates of unemployment, part-time employment and low rates of labour force participation. Demographic changes and industry and occupational structure appear to interact with relatively low labour market clearance. The findings are consistent with building a profile of different types of labour markets and point to the need for more directed policies to minimise unemployment.