State jobless rate shrinks to lowest level since 2017
TASMANIA’S unemployment rate fell to 5.8 per cent in December, the lowest level since July 2017 and down from 6.2 per cent at the same time last year.
The state was one of only two to record a decrease for the month.
There were 133,500 men and 121,500 women employed in Tasmania in December, with 14,900 people unemployed.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5.1 per cent, down slightly from the previous month.
Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the figures showed the state’s economy was strong and growing.
“The latest ABS employment figures highlight the importance of a strong and
PETER GUTWEIN
growing economy, with more than 20,000 jobs having now been created since coming to Government,” he said.
“The figures reveal another record-breaking month with 255,000 Tasmanians employed in trend terms for December 2019 – 1300 of those jobs created in December alone.
“Importantly, and pleasing to see is that of the 7100 jobs created in the 2019 year, over half those were female positions.”
Mr
Gutwein said annual jobs growth was equal first in the nation.
Labor’s Treasury spokesman David O’Byrne said the news was not all good with adult and youth unemployment at the third-highest rates in the country.
“Most of the employment growth has been in part-time work,” he said.
“Worryingly, underemployment is the worst in the country at 11 per cent — the only state in double figures. It means people aren’t getting enough work to make ends meet.
“We know that insecure work makes it harder for Tasmanian families to meet rising costs of living.
“Without job security, people worry about paying bills, buying food and have little chance of not just buying, but also renting, a home.”