Fed: Today s economic figures worrying, Crean

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2000
Fed: Today s economic figures worrying, Crean

The federal opposition treasury spokesperson SIMON CREAN says today's economic figures
show worrying concerns about investment, inflation and falling productivity in the Australian
economy.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released today showed the economy continued
its record breaking run in the year to September, although there were clear signs it was
slowing.

Mr CREAN says the government has failed to invest in Australia's future and has taken
money away from research and development, innovation and skills.

Mr CREAN says the figures showed a weakening which resulted from the government's failure
to encourage investment in the economy.

According to ABS figures, growth again exceeded four per cent in the year to September,
but it was just 0.6 per cent for the quarter, seasonally adjusted.

That's well down on the 1.0 per cent growth in the previous quarter, and slowed annual
growth from 4.9 per cent at the end of June, to 4.2 per cent at the end of September.

AAP RTV cmc/jlw/klw/jnl

KEYWORD: ECONOMY CREAN (MELBOURNE)

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