Tasmanian Labor welcomes the latest jobs figures showing some strong areas of employment growth for our state.
The number of jobs created in the past month is very encouraging and offers hope to Tasmanian workers relying on our economy to recover from the COVID downturn.
Shadow Treasurer David O'Byrne said the reduction in youth unemployment is particularly welcome but we must not forget that more than 14 percent of young Tasmanians are still without work.
"That why Labor's plan for jobs focuses so strongly on creating training and work opportunities for young Tasmanians," Mr O'Byrne said.
"With the lowest participation rate in the country it's of serious concern that fewer Tasmanians are engaged in the jobs market and have given up looking for work.
"We also have the worst under-employment rate in the country and unfortunately, the picture in regional Tasmania is not at all rosy."
Some of Tasmania's regional communities have suffered catastrophic job losses over the past year – the southern regions have been hardest hit, recording Australia's biggest drop in job numbers.
"Across the southeast of the state more than 1,500 people have lost their jobs in the past year," Mr O'Byrne said.
"Now is not the time to be complacent, we still have many workers on JobKeeper and the stimulus packages are only temporary.
"Now is the time to invest in Labor's jobs plan, to diversify the Tasmanian economy to ensure we are prepared for the challenges ahead."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
