New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the unemployment rate in NSW has increased during lockdown.

Dominic Perrottet, NSW Treasurer, told Clinton Maynard it was certainly challenging but is confident NSW will bounce back.

“What gives me a lot of optimism here, is that we got through that difficult time last year and we will get through this as well,” he said.

“The hope you can see overseas, is that the vaccination rates increase and it will be a positive thing for our state.”

Treasurer Perrottet told Clinton Maynard the government will focus on getting people back to work but will also keep in mind the future generations.

“I have to deal with the here and now, success for me is keeping people in work and businesses open but at the same time I don’t want to have a situation where our kids are going to pay back significant amounts of debt for the decisions of today,” he said.

“We have to make sure we get everyone through this at the moment but at the same time we ensure that generations to come have greater opportunity and prosperity that we have today.”

Press PLAY to hear the whole interview and the NSW Treasurer Perrottet 

Image: Getty