Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Wednesday 3rd March 2010

Tassie economy needs real change

Today’s ABS economic data shows that, in spite of Labor’s gloating and spin, Tasmania’s economy is far from secure.

In terms of economic growth Tasmania was amongst the worst in the nation, and in overall terms, we are performing at well below the national average.

Our economy shrank by 0.4% in trend terms and 0.3% in seasonally adjusted terms over the 12 months to December 09. However, the Australian economy grew by 2.8% in trend terms and 3.3% in seasonally adjusted terms over the same period.

We’re in danger of becoming decoupled from the Australian economy and going backwards while the rest of Australia goes from strength to strength.

This simply cannot go on. A vote for Labor or the Greens is a vote for four more years of the same stagnation.

Only a majority Hodgman Liberal Government offers the real change that Tasmania’s economy needs.