Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Monday 16th January, 2012

TCCI Survey shows Tasmania is closed for business

The TCCI Survey of Business Expectations proves that the closed for business sign is well and truly up in Tasmania.

Business conditions in Tasmania should have been thriving during the December quarter in the lead up to Christmas, yet they were the lowest on record. The Sales Price Index and Sale Revenue Index were also dangerously low.

Disturbingly, general business conditions and employment levels are expected to decrease even further over the March quarter.

It just gets worse.

Of course, the Government will somehow claim that this is a good result for Tasmania, but the reality is businesses are clearly fed up with the lack of direction and leadership from the Green-Labor Government.

What this shows is that the uncertainty and instability created by the Green-Labor Government is hurting our economy. Businesses don’t feel confident because they see a Government that has banned certain types of investment, is actively shutting down the forestry industry and is slashing frontline services.

It’s the Green-Labor Government’s complete lack of vision and a plan to get Tasmania to stand on its own two feet that has resulted in this appalling result.