The minority Liberal Government has failed unemployed Tasmanians by today voting down Labor’s motion on free TAFE.
The motion put forward by the Shadow Minister for TAFE, Michelle O’Byrne, called on the Government to adopt Labor’s policy for free TAFE courses across key industry sectors where there are skills shortages.
Ms O’Byrne said it was clear from today’s outcome that the Liberals aren’t serious about addressing Tasmania’s disgraceful jobless rate.
“The move to vote down Labor’s motion shows the Liberals have no credibility when it comes to addressing unemployment in this state,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“There are fewer Tasmanians in full-time work than when the Liberals were elected in 2014.
“Tasmania’s jobless rate is 6.7%, which is the worst in Australia with the jobless rate for Tasmanian women being the highest in Australia at 7.1%.
“More than 6,200 Tasmanian full time jobs have been lost in the last year, 4,100 of these being women.
“The jobless rate for Tasmanians under 25 years old is 13.5%, the second worst in Australia.
“Tasmania’s underemployment rate is 10.4%, which is the worst in the nation and the average duration of unemployment in Tasmania is 70.9 weeks, well above the national average.
“These are the cold hard facts and the Liberals today missed the chance to do something about it by voting down free TAFE courses across key sectors experiencing skills shortages including disability and aged care, building and construction, and hospitality.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills
