APRIL proved a successful month among the state's job seekers, with 1100 Tasmanians finding work. Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday showed the number of people in work across the state had risen for the sixth consecutive month. The participation rate for the month - an indicator of people in or actively seeking work - also rose. Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the figures demonstrated confidence was returning to Tasmania. "Our number one priority is jobs and it's encouraging that in the first month of the Liberal government, 1100 additional jobs were created," Mr Gutwein said. "It's also a positive sign that the participation rate is rising, because increasing participation means people are more confident that there are jobs." Opposition treasury spokesman Scott Bacon also welcomed the latest data. "These figures are good news for the state and Labor hopes the trend continues," Mr Bacon said. He said policies implemented under the previous government, including the First Home Builders Boost and payroll tax relief, had been critical to driving jobs growth. "We are pleased to see that the first move of the Liberal Government was to extend both of these measures," Mr Bacon said. The state's unemployment rate has remained steady for the fourth straight month, according to the figures. In trend terms, the state's jobless rate stands at 7.5 per cent. Revised figures for previous months reflect the jobless rate has remained the same since January. The rate of unemployment in Tasmania continues to hover well above the national average, which remained at 5.9 per cent in trend terms.
APRIL proved a successful month among the state's job seekers, with 1100 Tasmanians finding work.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday showed the number of people in work across the state had risen for the sixth consecutive month.
The participation rate for the month - an indicator of people in or actively seeking work - also rose.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the figures demonstrated confidence was returning to Tasmania.
"Our number one priority is jobs and it's encouraging that in the first month of the Liberal government, 1100 additional jobs were created," Mr Gutwein said.
"It's also a positive sign that the participation rate is rising, because increasing participation means people are more confident that there are jobs."
Opposition treasury spokesman Scott Bacon also welcomed the latest data.
"These figures are good news for the state and Labor hopes the trend continues," Mr Bacon said.
He said policies implemented under the previous government, including the First Home Builders Boost and payroll tax relief, had been critical to driving jobs growth.
"We are pleased to see that the first move of the Liberal Government was to extend both of these measures," Mr Bacon said.
The state's unemployment rate has remained steady for the fourth straight month, according to the figures.
In trend terms, the state's jobless rate stands at 7.5 per cent.
Revised figures for previous months reflect the jobless rate has remained the same since January.
The rate of unemployment in Tasmania continues to hover well above the national average, which remained at 5.9 per cent in trend terms.
