Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Finance, 26 May 2021
Economic recovery continuing according to ABS
Tasmanian jobs growth remains steady with the latest ABS payroll jobs data again confirming there are more jobs in Tasmania now than before the pandemic.
While other states saw jobs decline in the four weeks to 8 May, the data highlighted that jobs in Tasmania remained steady, with 0.9 per cent more jobs than mid-March last year.
In a sure sign that business confidence remains strong, Tasmania recorded the largest rebound in job vacancies in the nation, with job advertisements 71 per cent higher in April compared to before the pandemic.*
Tasmania is also bucking the national trend on exports, with preliminary export data for the 12 months to April 2021 showing exports grew 4.6 per cent over the year to $3.75 billion – compared to a 3.9 per cent decline nationally.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a clear plan to secure Tasmania’s future, and we are delivering with near-record Tasmanian goods being exported to the world, and 23,600 more jobs compared to when we came to Government in 2014.
* According to National Skills Commission data for April 2021, released on 19 May 2021.
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Acting Labor Leader, 25 May 2021
More jobs lost as run of bad employment data continues
Payroll Jobs and Wages data released today shows another 500 Tasmanian jobs were lost in the fortnight to May 8.
Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow said today’s data continued the backwards trend of Tasmania’s employment figures.
“The data released today shows another 500 Tasmanians have lost their jobs,” Ms Dow said.
“This number follows data revealed last week that presented staggering figures of 2,500 job losses in April and the bad news that Tasmania’s unemployment rate is the worst in the nation.”
Ms Dow said the data was a sign that the Liberals’ $600 million of broken infrastructure promises was taking its toll.
“The Liberal Government’s failure to deliver its infrastructure promises is simply costing Tasmanian jobs, with construction employment down nearly 1 per cent for the month, the worst of any state.
“And Peter Gutwein’s failure to stand up to Scott Morrison on the extension of JobKeeper is having an effect, with jobs in the retail sector falling by 1.1 per cent, again the worst of any state.
“Peter Gutwein must outline his plan for jobs across Tasmania and how he is going to get the infrastructure program back on track and provide ongoing support to Tasmanian small businesses.”
