Building
approvals are going backwards under Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein, ABS data
released this week shows.
The
number of housing approvals are down almost 20 per cent in 2019, and the value
of business building approvals is also down over 20 per cent in the past year,
despite positive growth nationally.
There
has been a 30 per cent decline in the total value of building approvals
(residential and non-residential) since the election.
Shadow
Treasurer David O’Byrne said the economy was going backwards but the Liberals
were failing to step in.
“Will
Hodgman and Peter Gutwein are sitting on their hands while Tasmanian jobs are
at risk,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“According
to Peter Gutwein, this is meant to be a golden age but as building approvals
slump, Tasmanians in the building and construction industry have every right to
ask about future jobs and investment.
“On
top of the 5600 full time jobs gone since the last election, we have recently
seen poor results in business investment, building activity, household and
business lending.
“It
is alarming that in the middle of a housing crisis, approvals for new houses
are actually going backwards. Under the Liberals the crisis is only getting
worse.
“Tasmanians deserve better.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
