The 2023-24 State Accounts deliver more evidence of a flatlining economy under the Liberal minority government. 6700 Jobs have been lost since Premier Rockliff started governing in minority, and Tasmania has crashed down the national economic leaderboard.

According to ABS data, Tasmania’s gross state product grew by 1.4% which represents the worst result since COVID in 2019-20 and is well below the 2% forecast by the Liberals’ September state budget.

Specifically, the figures highlight a manufacturing recession driven by the Liberals’ failure to deliver enough power to the state.

Manufacturing output was the worst in the history of the data series, which commenced in 1990. The industry shrunk by 11.3% over the past year, which is the biggest annual decline in 24 years.

Tasmania no longer has enough power for our own industries because there is simply too much red tape and inaction under this government. Tasmania’s power shortage is acting as a ‘closed for business’ sign for the state – risking our clean energy reputation, damaging our economy, and costing our state thousands of safe, secure, well-paid jobs.

The Premier and his Treasurer need to do more to boost the economy and business confidence after the peak business body, the TCCI, recently said it would be difficult to trust the minority Liberal government again.

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer