Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Adelaide in ICU as economy and jobs collapse

By Malcolm King - posted Friday, 21 August 2020


Adelaide's young people have suffered the largest increases in unemployment - and the biggest falls in jobs - since the pandemic started.In June 2020, the jobless rate nationally for 20-24 year old job seekers soared to 13.9 per cent. In SA, it is closer to 40 per cent. At every opportunity, I have advised them to leave SA (not easy now with the Covid-19 restrictions).

They have watched as the Boomers were showered with senior payments, indexed against average male earnings, tax exemptions on the family home and superannuation tax breaks. Today, less than half of 25-34-year-olds own their own home, compared with 61 per cent back in 1981, according to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

Many are taking shelter by studying in the state's three publicly funded universities, which are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. There is a massive 'disconnect' between university enrolments and the local job market.

Advertisement

A few years ago, before the pandemic, Commonwealth Department of Education and Training figures stated there were 11,895 domestic bachelor degree graduates from Adelaide's three major universities. Including postgraduate awardees, this figure rises to a whopping 19,680 graduates.

There is also a staggeringly high dropout rate of 15-30 per cent. Adelaide employers are hiring graduates to perform basic tasks that Year 12 students could do blindfolded. Even before the virus, flat population growth and an exodus of young people, had blighted the state's public university sector. Politicians want to merge two of the three universities. They're 20 years too late.

When systems wind down in such a catastrophic fashion over 40 years, there are no solutions. The brain drain has created a sheltered-workshop economy.

The City of Churches is a paradigm example of what happens when political, academic and business leaders, fail to act. When learned helplessness becomes the operating economic philosophy.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

22 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Malcolm King is a journalist and professional writer. He was an associate director at DEEWR Labour Market Strategy in Canberra and the senior communications strategist at Carnegie Mellon University in Adelaide. He runs a writing business called Republic.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Malcolm King

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 22 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy