FIGURES revealing that more people are leaving Tasmania than arriving for permanent residency has consultant Julian Amos calling on the government to do more to reverse the trend.
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Dr Amos was responding to the release of last year's net migration and population figures by the Australia Bureau of Statistics.
And while this year's figures are an improvement from 2011-12, Dr Amos is adamant more can be done to close the gap.
"What I hope is that as the employment opportunities increase, if they increase, than these figures will be reversed," he said.
"It's not as serious as two years ago, but it's still not good."
Employment statistics in Tasmania also reveal more people are struggling to find long-term employment in the state.
However, Dr Amos thinks that is a fact that comes down to a lack of job opportunities provided to new residents.
"In 2011-12 we were at a big loss, but we're still losing. For me, it tells me that the people who are looking for jobs can't find them and are going else where.
"Full time work is on the decrease and unemployment is the highest in the country. Participation is also at a low rate.
"I think the argument is that the responsibility is on the government to ensure a climate for economic growth and that concern has not yet gone away."
The Tasmanian Government could not be reached for comment yesterday.
New Australian Bureau of Statistic population figures are scheduled to be released in the coming months.