Liberal electorates hit hardest by unemployment scourge

Data from the Department of Parliamentary Services shows that some traditional Liberal seats have recorded the strongest growth in the number of JobSeeker recipients during the pandemic.

Some 5,688 people in the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth received unemployment benefits in May, a 422% increase since the health crisis began. Likewise, the seat of Warringah – which is currently held by independent MP Zali Steggall – has recorded 367% growth in JobSeeker recipients since the pandemic began:

Data released last week by consulting firm Taylor Fry also showed that middle-class professionals in inner-city suburbs have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 downturn:

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About the author

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.