Release Date: 16/07/2013
TASMANIA’S crisis meeting to tackle the unacceptable unemployment level in the
State is scheduled for Wednesday, 7 August, in Launceston.
The date was confirmed today by Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(TCCI), CEO Michael Bailey after an early morning meeting with Premier, Lara
Giddings.
On Friday, Premier Lara Giddings called on the TCCI, the State’s peak industry
body, to convene the urgent meeting following Thursday’s release of ABS figures
revealing Tasmania’s unemployment rate at 8.1 per cent, the worst in Australia.
“I’ve already had contact with a couple of major players who have emphasised the
point I made on Friday after accepting the Premier’s invitation to convene and
facilitate the meeting--- we need outcomes based on immediate action by
Government, and we need to measure and publicly share the outcomes,” Mr Bailey
said.
“We need industry to tell us how we can maintain current workforce levels and
what barriers must be removed to help businesses grow.
“It’s not a forum for motherhood statements and political point scoring. We need
real debate, valid outcomes and workable solutions to what is a critical issue for
Tasmania’s future.”
Mr Bailey said invitations would be sent to industry leaders and other industry
players in the next 48 hours for the forum to be held at Launceston’s Hotel Grand
Chancellor.