New jobs data from the ABS shows the economy is flatlining and Tasmanians are losing their jobs.

Tasmania lost another 100 jobs in September. In total, six thousand jobs have been lost since Jeremy Rockliff started governing in minority.

The unemployment rate has jumped to 4.3% which is the second worst in the nation. There are currently 12,500 Tasmanians unemployed, that is the worst result since covid three years ago.

We also have the worst participation rate in four years at 60.8%, which remains the worst in the nation and over six percentage points below the national average.

If Tasmania’s participation rate was at the national average, over 11,000 jobs would be created, households would be $1,500 better off and the State’s economy would be boosted by over $3.7 billion annually.

It’s blatantly obvious Tasmania needs to address the struggling participation rate to get our economy back on track.

Working age 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 flatling economy.

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer