Jobs data revealed today shows the Gutwein Government is squandering Tasmania's economic recovery.
Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow said today's numbers showed the reality behind the Liberals' economic recovery spin.
"The numbers released today show there were 2,500 jobs lost in April and we are heading in the opposite direction to the rest of the country," Ms Dow said.
"Tasmania's unemployment rate has jumped to 6.2% which is now the highest in the country and our underemployment rate rose to 8.6% which is also the worst in the nation.
"While the rest of Australia are recovering strongly Tasmania is going backwards."
Ms Dow said the Liberals horrendous infrastructure failures and Peter Gutwein's refusal to stand up for Tasmania on JobKeeper contributed to the job losses.
"Last week it was revealed the Liberals had failed to deliver $600 million of infrastructure they promised Tasmanians.
"Peter Gutwein has said that for every million dollars of infrastructure five jobs will be created, this means their lack of delivery has cost 3000 Tasmanian jobs.
"And Labor has been warning for months Tasmania would be the State worst affected by the removal of JobKeeper.
"I would urge Mr Gutwein to raise this issue with the Prime Minister when he finally visits Tasmania in the coming days.
"Today's figures are the result of Peter Gutwein and the Tasmanian Liberal Government's incompetence, broken promises and failure to stand up for Tasmania.
"Peter Gutwein needs to get back to work, outline his plan for creating jobs across Tasmania and explain how Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson is going to get Tasmania's infrastructure program back on track, because Tasmania cannot afford to go backwards."
Anita Dow MP
Acting Labor Leader
