Media release – Guy Barnett, Treasurer, 16 January 2025
Backing business and jobs keeps Tasmania’s economy charging ahead
Labour force data released by the ABS today shows Tasmania’s economy continues to be resilient as Tasmania’s record low unemployment run continues.
The latest data has confirmed that unemployment remains stable 4.1 per cent in December 2024.
Treasurer, Guy Barnett, said that backing business, backing jobs, and backing economic opportunities was a priority under the Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
“This latest data has confirmed our labour market has remained steady – giving us a good base to launch into the New Year,” the Treasurer said.
“The 2024-25 Budget secures nearly $40 million in new funding to support thousands of Tasmanians into the workforce while delivering the skills and training that they need to succeed.
“Our Regional Jobs Hubs have been a roaring success – with more than 4,000 Tasmanians employed through these hubs, benefitting the entire State.
“We have invested $2.5 million into our new Workforce Participation and Training Program over the next two years to ensure vulnerable Tasmanians are finding meaningful employment in our workforce.
“Our High Vis Army is complemented by two new training facilities – the $4.3 million Earthworks Academy site at Quercus Park and the $4 million Renewable Energy Training facility in the north west.
“When combined, these initiatives will help us to deliver the $27 billion infrastructure pipeline in Tasmania – that’s schools, bridges, roads, hospitals, housing, dams and more.
“We acknowledge that there are challenges facing Tasmania however we have laid a solid foundation to take Tasmania to new heights in 2025.
“Our Liberal Government will continue to back Tasmanian businesses and jobs.”
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Shadow Treasurer, 16 January 2025
8,700 Tasmanian jobs now gone under weak leader’s minority government
The latest jobs data shows Tasmanians are hurting under a weak minority Liberal Government.
More jobs have been lost since Premier Rockliff took his government into minority than were lost during COVID. According to the ABS 8,700 full-time jobs have vanished since the Premier lost control of the Parliament in May 2023, with 1000 of those lost in the last two months alone.
It was the Premier himself who predicted that minority government would crash jobs and the economy – it’s the only thing he’s gotten right so far.
Our participation rate is still the lowest in the nation at 60.3%, and Tasmania has the highest underemployment rate anywhere in the country at 7.7% which shows that Tasmanians are unable to find as much work as they need to support themselves and their families.
The business community has publicly declared that its confidence in the Liberal minority government has been shattered due to their incompetence and mismanagement, with TCCI CEO Michael Bailey saying that “it will be very difficult to trust this Government again.”
Tasmanians are leaving our state in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The Government needs to provide better work and study opportunities here in Tasmania and remove barriers to entering the workforce like access to childcare services.
Labor’s priority is making sure Tasmanians can find work in well-paid, safe, and secure jobs because that’s the key to reinvigorating Tasmania’s flatlining economy.
With discontent brewing about his strength as a leader, it’s obvious the only job Premier Rockliff is worried about is his own.