For the first time in a number of years, we are hearing reports through our liaison program in Western Australia that it is difficult for firms to find workers with the right skills, including project engineers and related occupations. Business conditions – as measured by surveys – have also risen significantly and are now above average.
At our meeting, we also discussed the population dynamics here in Western Australia. At the peak of the resources boom, annual population growth reached almost 3½ per cent, which is very fast. People moved here from overseas and from the rest of Australia to meet the needs of your rapidly growing economy.