Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Monday 1st February 2010

Government in denial on unemployment

It is becoming more difficult to find a job in Tasmania and job seekers are expected to do it tough.

There are 8,100 fewer jobs in Tasmania than there were a year ago, long-term unemployment is still a problem and today we find out that the number of job advertisements in Tasmania fell by 25.6%.

This is the second worst performance in the country and further evidence that unemployment is a significant issue.

One of the main reasons why Tasmania is not performing well is that Labor is more concerned about getting itself re-elected than doing what is right for the Tasmanian economy.

Hikes in water and sewerage and Land Tax are acting like a hand-brake on the Tasmanian economy. They are stunting growth, discouraging employment and increasing the cost of goods and services to all Tasmanians.

Only the Tasmanian Liberals offer the real change that the Tasmanian economy needs. As soon as a Hodgman Liberal Government is elected, we will implement our plan to abolish Land Tax, make water and sewerage charges fairer for all Tasmanians and make bus travel for students free. All of these initiatives will help cut the cost of living.

These measures alone will pump millions into the economy and provide the right conditions for jobs growth.