Tasmanians doing it tough
cannot pretend everything is rosy
nearly $12,000 below national average
Tasmanian
workers continue to do it tough with the latest ABS data confirming high
regional unemployment and that wages across Tasmania are stuck well below the
national average.
Shadow
Treasurer David O’Byrne said the Liberals cannot continue to spin their way out
of the COVID recession and the Gutwein Government must act to address the
crisis in regional Tasmania.
“Today’s
figures reveal job losses in many of our state’s regional communities over the
past month, including 200 in Launceston and the north east and 700 in the south
east. Alarmingly, Tasmania’s unemployment rate outside Hobart is now 7.7 per
cent.
“Behind
each one of these numbers is a Tasmanian who deserves better.
“For
those with a job, the latest data shows they’re getting paid nearly $12,000
less than the national average yearly income and there’s been zero growth over
the past six months.
“The
wage gap has grown by nearly $1000 under this State Liberal Government.
“The
Government cannot continue to cherry pick data and ignore the growing number of
Tasmanians who are struggling under its go-nowhere policies.”
Labor has a plan to create 35,000 new jobs with an ambitious program of projects, direct investment and skills training especially targeted at the regions.
“Labor will build a better and fairer Tasmania.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
