PEAK business body the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) says today’s Labour Force figures for Tasmania which are still the highest in the nation, again demonstrate the task confronting the State and the need for urgent action.
TCCI Chief Executive Michael Bailey said today’s ABS figures which show Tasmania’s unemployment rate rising to 8.6 per cent (21,500 Tasmanians) coupled with this week’s Deloitte’s Access Economics report showing the state’s economy as the weakest in the nation, reinforced the need for immediate action on the 13 points flowing from the recent TCCI facilitated Jobs Forum.
Mr Bailey said the State now had the unenviable statistic of 13 consecutive months without a reduction in its unemployment rate.
“The figures for Tasmania continue to be the highest in the nation and this is extremely concerning,” Mr Bailey said.
“Now more than ever we need urgent action on the 13 recommendations that came from the Jobs Forum.
“They included urgent planning reform, action to reduce the cost of doing business in Tasmania, support for market driven job creation, immediate action on reducing red and green tape, and we must get penalty rates right so that they encourage, not discourage business and employment.
“The 13 points flowing from the Jobs Forum provides the basis of a strategy for immediate action and they must be implemented now.
“As well, the incoming Federal Government must be encouraged to promptly honour its election promises for Tasmania,” he said.
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