Retail figures for December show Tasmanian businesses have missed out on the usual Christmas bounce.
The pandemic is continuing to weigh heavily on confidence and unfortunately Tasmanian consumers - businesses and households – are clearly feeling the pinch.
Shadow Labor Treasurer David O'Byrne said Tasmanians are feeling a deep sense of insecurity especially anticipating JobKeeper and JobSeeker coming to an end early this year.
"For many businesses, households and individuals this means a lifeline that's helped keep them afloat through 2020 is going to be cut," Mr O'Byrne said.
"When you drill down into these latest figures it's clear this is hurting consumer confidence and spending.
"Tasmania suffered the biggest fall in retail activity in the country in the last three months of 2020.
"It has also recorded the second lowest growth in the country compared with December 2019.
"Labor is concerned that a number of businesses, particularly those impacted by COVID restrictions in Tasmania and across other states, will not be able to survive the withdrawal of JobKeeper.
"The Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein should be fighting their corner much harder with the Morrison Government.
"The Gutwein Government continues to crow about its performance, painting a rosy economic picture, but unfortunately this ignores the many difficulties families and business are facing, and they know the situation is set to get worse during 2021."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
