Building approvals slump as Liberals fail to act

Tasmanian Labor
  • Building approvals down 30% in value since the election
  • Hodgman and Gutwein have no solutions
  • 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

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