11th December 2009
Figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlight that the Tasmanian population continues to age.
The population in Tasmanian has aged by nearly 10% since 1996, from 32.92 in 1996 to 38.85 in 2009. In fact, over the last 11 years we have witnessed a boom in growth in those aged over 40, with a decline in those under 40.
Liberal Candidate for Denison, Matt Stevenson, today labeled the demographic shift as one of the greatest social and economic issues facing Tasmania.
“We have witnessed a 10% decline in Tasmanians aged under 40 since 1996, while those aged 40 and over have increased by 21%.”
“We are not attracting or retaining younger people in their most productive years, economically and socially,, and this is going to be to our detriment in the years to come.
“If the trend continues we will be faced with skills shortages and an overall decrease in the size of the Tasmanian workforce.
“More over, it will place immense pressure on our health and human services if we do not look towards correcting the problem.
Mr Stevenson believes there are many aspects to turning the current situation around, but one key opportunity we have now is ensuring we effectively leverage the NBN rollout.
“The NBN offers Tasmania with a unique opportunity, but we must ensure that Tasmanian businesses are well prepared for the roll out otherwise we will be left behind the rest of Australia; that’s why we need David Bartlett to release his 5 year NBN plan.
“We need to provide businesses with the structure to excel not simply throw them in the deep end and hope
they swim because other states, and countries, will simply leapfrog us.
“We need to fully realise the NBN opportunity to ensure that we are supportive of a world class technology
industry; this will help to attract and retain the exact demographic we are now losing now.
The Hodgman Liberal Team have committed to developing a comprehensive demographic strategy.
“The demographic shift is a problem that we need to address now to ensure that we have a sustainable and
vibrant future.”

NB: The ABS release “3201.0 – Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, Jun 2009” can be
found at:

http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/
DetailsPage/3201.0Jun%202009?OpenDocument

Download a chart summarising the yearly average change in each 10 year age groups from (0 – 100)
20091211 Tasmania’s Aging Risk.pdf
Matt Stevenson, Liberal candidate for Denison