As one of several people who orchestrated a $1.4 million turnaround to the fortunes of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the past three years, Bailey is a glass half-full type of person.

Bailey was on the front foot when commenting about the latest monthly employment figures that showed another 500 Tasmanians in work and the unemployment rates dropping from 7.4 to 7.3 per cent (in trend terms).

The more volatile seasonally adjusted figures showed another 3800 Tasmanians in work from July to August.

While all of the unemployment figures are still too high they appear to be heading steadily in the right direction. We now have 127,100 people in work compared to 122,400 in August last year.

Bailey said yesterday that he was also really enthusiastic about the improved participation rate in Tasmania, which showed that more people were actively looking for work.

"Federally and at a state level we have governments who are getting out of the way of business so it is now up to business to show the same confidence and employ people," he said.

"People are prepared to invest, you only have to see the irrigation schemes and the commitments from farmers.

"This is why we just couldn't fathom the comments from Greens leader Kim Booth bagging irrigation schemes when they are fully costed, they employ people during construction and they increase productivity.

"The Blythe Scheme near Smithton is a classic example because it allows farmers to milk for an extra 100 days during summer when their pastures would normally dry off."

Booth's staggering attack on the farming community and questioning the benefits of irrigation will be a statement he lives to regret.

It is doubtful that it would even appeal to the hardcore Greens voters who applaud clever agriculture and value-adding.

The investment in guaranteeing water supply, which was started under state Labor, now totals $140 million of federal funds, $140 million invested by farmers and $80 million of state funds with a further $140 million in the pipeline.

It will significantly drought proof Tasmania and risk-proof many crops - surely the smart way to grow this state.

Bailey also said that the tourism industry was extremely optimistic about the future and was another area of jobs growth.

"MONA has been an amazing success but Tasmania is really on the map in terms of international visitors looking for a safe and interesting place to visit.

"I really think that Tassie is well placed for several year although we do need to get Northern Tasmania pumping again to match the rest of the state."

The message from Bailey and many others is that Tasmania can either talk itself up or down.

The numbers, at least, show that we should be optimistically looking to a bright future.