Jobs turnaround hailed

TASMANIA added nearly 600 full-time jobs in March, reversing a decline that had started last June, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show.

While the state’s unemployment rate was stable at 6.0 per cent, the number of people with full-time jobs increased from 154,000 to 154,600.

There were 400 more men and 200 more women employed full-time.

Total state employment rose to 246,900 with the addition of 100 more female jobs.

The unemployment rate, equivalent to 15,500 people, is slightly higher than the same time last year when it was at 5.8 per cent. Nationally the unemployment rate increased to 5.6 per cent despite the addition of 14,000 jobs.

The participation rate, those in work or actively seek- ing work, was stable at 61.1 per cent in Tasmania although well behind the national figure of 65.7 per cent.

The measure is often seen as an indicator of confidence in the economy and of people’s optimism about finding a job.

Economist Saul Eslake said the figures suggested some part-time workers were able to move up to full-time jobs.

“It also shows that while the population is growing there are enough jobs being created to keep the unemployment rate stable,” he said.

Mr Eslake said the jobs growth was likely in agriculture, forestry and fishing, retail trade, healthcare, and art and recreation.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein hailed the rise of 1400 full-time jobs in the year to March.

“Today there are more Tasmanians in work than ever before, with the total number of employed at a record high of 246,900,” he said

“Since the Hodgman Liberal Government was elected in March 2014, 11,800 new jobs have been created.”

Mr Gutwein said Tasmanians were confident about getting a job, with the participation rate up 0.9 percent over the year to March.

Opposition Treasury spokesman Scott Bacon disputed Mr Gutwein’s interpretation of the statistics.

“The Treasurer two days ago was talking about Tasmania’s booming economy but that is not reflected in the figures today from the ABS,” Mr Bacon said.

“Our jobs rate has stagnated while in the rest of the country jobs are growing.

“The Hodgman Government failed to launch a single job-creating infrastructure project during its last term and Tasmanians can expect nothing will change.”

ABS chief economist Bruce Hockman said the national labour force participation rate was the highest since collection of the data began in 1978.

Unemployment figures for other jurisdictions were NSW (4.9 per cent), ACT (4.1), NT (3.9), SA (5.9), WA (6.9), and Victoria (5.5).