Tasmania's regional unemployment rate has risen for the tenth month in a row new ABS data has revealed.
Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow said based on the 12-month average of the ABS numbers, Tasmania has the highest regional unemployment rate in the country.
"What today's numbers show is that Tasmania's regional communities continue to face significant economic challenges," Ms Dow said.
"Regional unemployment has risen for the tenth month in a row, up to 7.3 per cent, and the unemployment rate on the West Coast and in the North-West is 7.4 per cent, the highest rate in Tasmania."
Ms Dow said the data added to a string of concerning Tasmanian jobs and employment data that had been released over the past week.
"Across the past week I have called on Premier Peter Gutwein to outline his plan to fix his Government's failure to deliver infrastructure.
"We have seen data showing Tasmania has the worst unemployment rate in the country and that 2500 jobs have been lost, yet the Premier has not addressed them.
"The Government have underdelivered infrastructure by $600 million and watched on as critical projects like the installation of a new shiploader at the Burnie Port has fallen behind schedule.
"Not only has this Government's inability to deliver infrastructure cost jobs but Peter Gutwein's failure to stand up to Scott Morrison to extend Job Keeper has led to this outcome.
"And tourism and hospitality businesses are searching for skilled workers, yet job seekers are unable to get the training they need due to years of TAFE being ignored in regional areas.
"While the Government embarks on its 100-days of meetings Tasmanians are facing the reality of unemployment and more needs to be done now before more people are out of work."
Anita Dow MP
Acting Labor Leader
