THE state's peak industry group says Tasmania is on the path to economic recovery, but it can't take its eye off the ball. Latest figures show the state's unemployment rate dropped slightly in December, with 500 more Tasmanians in full-time work. Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data released yesterday recorded an unemployment level of 6.8 per cent in trend terms, down from 6.9. The state is slowly catching up with the national rate of 6.1 per cent. There were 17,900 Tasmanians classed as unemployed over December, which was 300 fewer than in November. The participation rate grew 0.1 per cent between November and December, and was up 1.9 per cent since December 2013. Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the numbers were "really encouraging". "They certainly show and reflect that the economy in Tasmania is well on the way back," Mr Bailey said. "There's still work to be done and we need to remind all levels of government that the focus has to be on enabling business to grow and to employ people further," he said. Mr Bailey said he was concerned about the number of people leaving the state. More people are leaving Tasmania than arriving, but the rate of loss is down. "We're going to need to really look at that to increase our economy further," he said. "We know the economy and access to jobs is the number one important thing to maintain growing a population," he said. "It's an exciting time in Tasmania, but we can't take the eye off the ball," he said. Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Maree Tetlow also welcomed the figures, and said she'd like to see a more positive 2015. "Hopefully 2015 is a more robust year for business overall and employment in particular," she said. Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said he hoped the trend continued to be positive. "This is the prime time to be providing support and training to long-term unemployed people to develop skills in those areas of the economy that are emerging."
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey.
THE state's peak industry group says Tasmania is on the path to economic recovery, but it can't take its eye off the ball.
Latest figures show the state's unemployment rate dropped slightly in December, with 500 more Tasmanians in full-time work.
Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data released yesterday recorded an unemployment level of 6.8 per cent in trend terms, down from 6.9.
The state is slowly catching up with the national rate of 6.1 per cent.
There were 17,900 Tasmanians classed as unemployed over December, which was 300 fewer than in November.
The participation rate grew 0.1 per cent between November and December, and was up 1.9 per cent since December 2013.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the numbers were "really encouraging".
"They certainly show and reflect that the economy in Tasmania is well on the way back," Mr Bailey said.
"There's still work to be done and we need to remind all levels of government that the focus has to be on enabling business to grow and to employ people further," he said.
Mr Bailey said he was concerned about the number of people leaving the state.
More people are leaving Tasmania than arriving, but the rate of loss is down.
"We're going to need to really look at that to increase our economy further," he said.
"We know the economy and access to jobs is the number one important thing to maintain growing a population," he said.
"It's an exciting time in Tasmania, but we can't take the eye off the ball," he said.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Maree Tetlow also welcomed the figures, and said she'd like to see a more positive 2015.
"Hopefully 2015 is a more robust year for business overall and employment in particular," she said.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said he hoped the trend continued to be positive.
"This is the prime time to be providing support and training to long-term unemployed people to develop skills in those areas of the economy that are emerging."
