In another sign that business confidence is waning in Tasmania, job vacancy data out today brings bad news for the new Premier.
Shadow Treasurer David O'Byrne said Peter Gutwein would be the first to point to job vacancies as a sign of confidence in the economy.
"Today's data shows job vacancies fell 9.5 per cent over the past year. That's the worst outcome of any jurisdiction other than New South Wales (14.1%) and the Northern Territory (9.7%).
"In the new Premier's own words, growth in job vacancies indicates that businesses are confident and looking to hire people. What we see here is just the opposite."
Mr O'Byrne said this is just the latest in a series of worrying indicators suggesting business confidence is sliding.
- ABS data late last year showed business investment fell 23.8% for the year, the second worst in the nation.
- The Sensis Small Business Confidence Index noted 77% of Tasmanian businesses feel the economy is at a standstill or going backwards.
- KPMG's Regional Capacity Index ranked Tasmania last in terms of its ability to withstand and respond to economic shocks.
- The ANZ Stateometer predicted lower economic growth over the coming year.
"Peter Gutwein's talk of a golden age is starting to sound a little hollow, and more on the same from this Government will zombie walk us into the tougher times ahead.
"Government members are dressing up in high vis at hastily convened media conferences to paper over the cracks of their dysfunction and division.
"But the businesses community wants to know how Government plans to break Tasmania out of the boom and bust cycle we've seen over recent decades, and they need a plan now before it is too late."
David O'Byrne
Shadow Treasurer
