Yesterday’s alarming unemployment figures, showing the unemployment rate had skyrocketed to 7.6%, have been followed by new data today showing almost 38,000 Tasmanians continue to receive JobSeeker payments.
This means over 7% of Tasmania’s population is currently receiving an unemployment payment, the second highest rate in the country behind the Northern Territory.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said this showed Peter Gutwein doesn’t have a plan to get Tasmania working again.
“Yesterday we found out unemployment is getting worse, not better. Today we find out 38,000 Tasmanians are looking for work but can’t find it,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“That’s more than the entire population of Devonport.
“Not only that, but today’s figures give us a clear idea of the impact of the Federal Government’s cuts to JobSeeker, which Peter Gutwein backed wholeheartedly.
“These cruel cuts will not only push 38,000 people closer to poverty, but they’ll also rip over $11 million per fortnight from Tasmanian businesses.
“Cautious optimism isn’t a plan. Peter Gutwein needs to get serious about getting Tasmanians back to work, and he needs to do it now.”
David O’Byrne
Shadow Treasurer
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