The ‘messy’ trend behind Australia’s rising unemployment is worrying economists

A further rise in the jobless rate would arguably be violating the RBA’s full employment objective, economists say. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

As Jim Chalmers moves among the global elite during the G20 talkfest with fellow finance ministers and big-time investors in Washington this week, he will be spruiking Australia’s enviable economic performance over recent years.

A particular point of pride has been the strength of the labour market.