· Cost of living rising faster than wages
· Workers always suffer under Liberals
Wage Price Index data released today shows Tasmanian wages aren’t keeping up with the cost of living.
Wages increased just 0.5% for the quarter, well below the inflation rate of 1.7%.
Wage growth in the private sector was just 0.3%, the lowest rate in the country.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said the Liberals were failing Tasmanian workers.
“One thing is clear: working people will always do it tougher under a Liberal government,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“Peter Gutwein said 2 per cent wage increases were fair and reasonable but that doesn’t get close to keeping up with the cost of living.
“This is the result of his policies -wage growth is depressed, the economy is suffering and more people are getting left behind in Peter Gutwein’s Tasmania.
“When the cost of living increases three times faster than wages do, people find it harder to put food on the table and a roof over their family’s heads. It also means people have less money to spend in local businesses.
“Tasmanian workers are still among the worst paid in the country, and today’s data shows things are only getting tougher under the Liberals.”
David O’Byrne MP – Shadow Treasurer
