Tasmania is unfortunately missing out on the post pandemic jobs recovery while other states continue to surge, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data released today shows.
Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow said the Gutwein Government's promises on jobs were not becoming reality with today's ABS data showing nearly 800 jobs were shed in the past fortnight.
"It's terribly bad news for Tasmanians that the state remains at the bottom of the pack and is going backwards while other states surge ahead," Ms Dow said.
"Wages also fell in the past two weeks and the state's 1.9 per cent growth in wages since the start of the pandemic is well below the national average of 3.1 per cent.
"Coupled with rising unemployment, that means families have less to spend in shops, cafes and restaurants.
"Sadly our tourism and hospitality sector is down eight per cent since the start of the COVID19 pandemic and continues to go backwards.
"Agriculture, forestry and fishing jobs are down 6.4 per cent since the start of the pandemic, construction jobs are down 2.1 per cent and retail jobs are down 3.6 per cent - the worst of any State.
"Peter Gutwein needs to focus on getting the basics right for Tasmanian families and he should begin by outlining a plan to turn this worsening unemployment problem around."
Anita Dow MP
Acting Labor Leader
