Thousands of jobs gone and unemployment highest in the nation

Tasmania is now in the midst of the most severe job losses since the global financial crisis.

Yesterday’s ABS data shows: 

• Almost 7,000 jobs lost since Government was formed last August.
• Highest rate of unemployment in the nation, at 5.2 per cent.
• Highest rate of underemployment in the nation, at 7 per cent.
• Lowest employment to population ratio in the nation, at 57.1 per cent.
• Lowest participation rate in the nation, at 60.2 per cent.

Tasmania is now firmly at the bottom of the pile for every major employment marker.

Rather than deliver a genuine plan for economic growth, Premier Rockliff has handed Treasurer Eric Abetz the knife to cut the services Tasmanians rely on and sack 1,700 workers.

After 13 years, the Liberals have left Tasmania with the worst-performing economy in the country, rising unemployment, spiralling debt, and a downgraded credit rating.