Peter Gutwein should take no comfort from the CommSec State of the States Report released today.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said the report does not present an up-to-date picture of Tasmania’s economy.
“While the Liberal Government has been quick to welcome this report, it will be cold comfort to the thousands of Tasmanians who have lost their jobs during COVID.
“The report is, for the most part, based on data that’s now out of date. And it’s a report that compares change within the state over a 10 year period; it is not a leader board for a genuine comparison of the state’s economic performance.
“What’s going to matter for Tasmania is how the government implements a plan for the state’s economic recovery. We know that tens of thousands of Tasmanians are out of work and small business has never done it tougher.
“With youth unemployment at 15.1%, and the peak impact of COVID-19 not expected to hit until December, Tasmanians are looking for a strong plan to create jobs.
“While Peter Gutwein doesn’t have a plan to create much-needed jobs for Tasmanians, Labor does.
“Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package is designed to get people back into jobs, and help those hardest hit by COVID-19.
“The Premier’s own social and economic advisory council has exposed the government’s lack of action and delivery on key issues over the past six years.
The council has adopted key job creating initiatives included in Labor’s Recovery Package, such as Free TAFE and mandated apprentice numbers on government projects.
“PESRAC has pointed to Labor’s solutions The question now is what the government is waiting for?”
David O’Byrne
Shadow Treasurer
