Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Josh Willie said the establishment of a youth jobs taskforce will be a step in the right direction to resolving high levels of youth unemployment in Tasmania.
"We need to better understand the drivers of youth unemployment, and better connect the education and industry sectors to ensure meaningful employment is available to young Tasmanians when they complete their schooling."
Mr Willie said Tasmania's 12 month average youth unemployment rate is 14.5%, more than double Tasmania's overall unemployment rate of 6.1%.
"There are youth unemployment hotspots across the state, with the 12 month average for Greater Hobart at 15.7% and the West/North-West at 15.0%, ranking as the 13th and 16th worst areas for youth unemployment in the nation.
"And although Tasmania has an annual net migration loss of 580 people in the 15-24 age group, there's no policy framework for solving youth unemployment."
"I congratulate my Legislative Council colleagues for supporting my notice of motion calling on Will Hodgman's government to establish a youth jobs taskforce to tackle these issues."
Josh Willie
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs
