Full-time jobs in freefall as alarming trend continues

 Total jobs increase but full-time work continues to disappear
 4700 less full-time jobs in Tasmania since April
 Too many Tasmanians ‘underemployed’

Tasmania has a serious problem on its hands when it comes to keeping people in full-time employment.

The latest stats from the ABS show that while total employment increased last month, full-time jobs remain in freefall.

“It’s clear that over the past 6 months a huge amount of full-time positions have been replaced by part-time jobs,” Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said.

“Total jobs are up by 300 but at the expense of full-time positions which have again fallen, this time by 800.

“While total employment has actually increased by 900 jobs since April, shockingly 4700 full-time jobs have been lost.

“That’s a massive shift from full-time to part-time work in a relatively short period of time and we have to ask ourselves why.

“Why are Tasmanians being forced from meaningful full-time work to part-time roles which mean they are underemployed?

“The headline unemployment rate of 6.5% masks a more worrying trend.

“It’s time for a mature conversation about why we are losing full-time jobs and what can be done about it.”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer