Today’s ABS figures show that in October, retail trade maintained its near record highs reached over the past three months and at $463 million is just $1 million off the all-time monthly high. Given Christmas is just around the corner, hopefully this strong performance will continue.

The Australian National Retailers Association has forecast that Tasmanians will spend about $637 million over the Christmas period.

If we can achieve that, it will be one of our best Christmas retail periods ever.

While there’s still a long way to go, since the election around 3,000 jobs have been created, private investment is up dramatically, business confidence is through the roof and the economy is growing.

Peter Gutwein, Treasurer