Job cuts inevitable...Wayne Swan.
Job losses across Australia will be inevitable as the effects of the global financial crisis hit Australian businesses, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.
Economists have predicted national growth could slow to 1.25 per cent next year, resulting in the loss off an estimated 200,000 jobs.
Mr Swan refused to speculate on the extent of job losses but conceded the national unemployment rate would rise.
"There is no doubt that the global financial crisis will have an impact on employment growth in Australia and there is no doubt that we will see over time unemployment move up," he told reporters in Brisbane.
"There is a very big challenge coming Australia's way from the global financial crisis ... that is why we have moved with such speed to boost and strengthen our economy immediately."
The Treasurer said the Government's growth forecasts would be released next month as part of its mid-year economic review.
Future Fund slightly lower on financial crisis fears
The Federal Government's Future Fund has taken a small hit from the global financial crisis.
The fund had a positive return last financial year but in the three months to September it has been slightly negative.
Its overall value is now $63.4 billion, which is fractionally lower than when it was set up more than a year ago.
But Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner says the fund is in good shape and has maintained its value in extraordinary times.
"This is a very significant and positive result... in the circumstances that the Future Fund has been dealing with, given the huge drops in share prices - not only in Australian markets but also internationally and there is every hope, of course, that these share price reductions will be corrected in the medium term," he said.
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