The Hodgman Liberal Government is in denial about Tasmania's job crisis and out of touch with the barriers to work young jobseekers face.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Tasmania has the highest youth unemployment rate in the nation. Youth unemployment in greater Hobart is 17.2 per cent, with some areas as high as 20 per cent.
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Josh Willie, said the Hodgman Government has refused to acknowledge the impossible circumstances facing young people.
Mr Willie today met Shaun Clayton who is desperate to start a building apprenticeship but faces a three month wait to sit his driving test to get a license.
With many apprenticeship advertised in September and all requiring a current driver's license, Shaun risks long delays in finding work.
"At a time when Tasmania is crying out for skilled workers and our unemployment rate is the worst in the country, we can't afford for people like Shaun to be slipping through the cracks," Mr Willie said.
"This is just one example of the practical impediments young people face in trying to find work.
"Will Hodgman has no idea about the challenges facing young people the same way he has no idea about how to reverse the state's appalling jobs figures.
"Youth unemployment in many areas of Glenorchy is 66 percent higher than the national average.
"Young Tasmanians are sick of paying the price for Will Hodgman's failures.
"Will Hodgman must explain how he is going to tackle Tasmania's jobs emergency."
Josh Willie MP
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs
