1367.8 - Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators, Sep 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/10/2002   
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MEDIA RELEASE

October 30, 2002
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
147/2002
Retrenchments and gambling: ACT findings

A higher proportion of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) retrenched people are older workers and approximately three-quarters of ACT people gambled in 1999-2000, according to findings released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).


Retrenchment Findings:

The proportion of people retrenched aged between 45 and 54 years increased from 17% in the three years to July 1997, to 29% in the three years to July 2001. The proportion of people retrenched aged between 55 and 64 years increased from 15% to 25% in the same period.

In comparison, the proportion of people retrenched aged between 18 and 24 years and 25 to 34 years, fell from 23% to 14% and 22% to 21% respectively over the same period. The proportion of people retrenched aged 35 to 44 years fell from 23% to 12% in the same period.

In the three years to July 2001, other retrenchment findings included:

The ACT, with the NT, had the lowest proportion of people retrenched (5% of the workforce).

The ACT recorded the second highest proportion of retrenched people born overseas (30% of all retrenchments) after WA (34%).

The proportion of ACT people in their job for over ten years when retrenched increased to 32%, up from 23% in the three years ending July 1997.

The most common reasons for retrenchments in the ACT were work shortages and job cuts (43% of all retrenchments), business closures (16%) and change of management (14%).

Nearly one-quarter (24%) of those retrenched in the ACT had less than one day prior notice.


Gambling Findings:

Approximately 75% of people in the ACT gambled in 1999-2000, with 36% gambling on a weekly basis according to findings from an examination of gambling and pubs, clubs, taverns and bars.

The ACT had the fourth highest net takings per head of adult population in 2000-01, at $951, compared with the national average of $944 per head.

ACT net takings from gambling per head of adult population rose 45% from 1994-95 to 2000-01, compared with a rise of 62% nationally.

Both the ACT and national figures revealed 2% of the adult population experienced problems with gambling.

From 1998 to 2001, findings showed a decrease in the number of clubs (down 10% to 61 premises) and pubs, taverns and bars (down 18% to 28 premises).

These findings and more details on the ACT's demography, labour force, prices, building and construction, crime and justice, finance, retail, economy, transport and climate are included in Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.8).