It should remind him that of our 19,100 unemployed there are 6000 who have been out of work for at least a year. Half of these poor souls have been jobless for two years or more.

Sadly some of them probably like it that way. The overwhelmingly majority would be in a chronic state of despair.Those in their older years would be wondering if they'll ever work again and whether they will end up on a pension in their twilight years, with few options other than a life of meager subsistence in the suburbs.

The grim facts should be a reminder to all Tasmanian members of Parliament, federal and state, that before they save one tree or introduce one law for dealing with protesters or recidivist criminals, or take one overseas junket, that their overriding brief is to create jobs.

Our job less rate actually fell a few years ago and it can fall again. The Hodgman government is master of its own destiny, with a comfortable majority and a friendly government in Canberra. It owes its future to no one but taxpayers, and voters in four years' time.

Mr Gutwein ought not be crafting a budget simply to avoid Joe Hockey's pain, but rather a budget that reins in expenditure in measured doses while focusing on way to facilitate economic growth.

He has had more than enough time since the March 15 election to find the right balance between fiscal responsibility and an expansive budget that doesn't regard  job creation merely in terms of an expanded bureaucracy.

If the budget makes a start on respite for those poor souls, existing solely on their savings and government handouts, and offers them hope in the jobs market, then Peter Gutwein will have justified his well paid existence.