THE state government's promise to create 8000 new jobs is looking more and more tenuous every month, the opposition says. Tasmania's jobless rate climbed to 6.9 per cent in trend terms last month, up from 6.8 per cent in May. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Thursday showed 2200 jobs had disappeared in the state since December, with half of them full-time positions. Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the figures vindicated the government's focus on creating jobs, and said there was clearly more work to do. But he pointed out the state's unemployment rate had fallen since the election and closed in on the national figure, which sits at 6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms. "Tasmania is now heading in the right direction, our economy is growing, retail trade is at record highs, the building and construction sector is strong and importantly business confidence is high," he said. "It's critically important now that we consolidate the gains of the past 12 months, and build on the growing momentum." However, opposition finance spokesman Scott Bacon said the data should sound alarm bells for a government he claimed were taking a "hands off" approach. Mr Bacon said manufacturing, forestry and resources jobs were drying up across the state. "What we want to see from the government now is a long-term plan about diversifying our economy in regional areas," he said. Mr Bacon said the static participation rate, which sits at 60.7 per cent, was also a cause for concern. "We know this means people are less hopeful that they can find work here in Tasmania," he said. "That's why we want to see a clear direction set by the government, so people can have some sense of securing that they can work here in Tasmania." Mr Bacon said the government's 8000 jobs budget promise was appearing increasingly challenging. "Now we know that is becoming less and less likely as each month goes by," he said.
THE state government's promise to create 8000 new jobs is looking more and more tenuous every month, the opposition says.
Tasmania's jobless rate climbed to 6.9 per cent in trend terms last month, up from 6.8 per cent in May.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Thursday showed 2200 jobs had disappeared in the state since December, with half of them full-time positions.
Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the figures vindicated the government's focus on creating jobs, and said there was clearly more work to do.
But he pointed out the state's unemployment rate had fallen since the election and closed in on the national figure, which sits at 6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.
"Tasmania is now heading in the right direction, our economy is growing, retail trade is at record highs, the building and construction sector is strong and importantly business confidence is high," he said.
"It's critically important now that we consolidate the gains of the past 12 months, and build on the growing momentum."
However, opposition finance spokesman Scott Bacon said the data should sound alarm bells for a government he claimed were taking a "hands off" approach.
Mr Bacon said manufacturing, forestry and resources jobs were drying up across the state.
"What we want to see from the government now is a long-term plan about diversifying our economy in regional areas," he said.
Mr Bacon said the static participation rate, which sits at 60.7 per cent, was also a cause for concern.
"We know this means people are less hopeful that they can find work here in Tasmania," he said.
"That's why we want to see a clear direction set by the government, so people can have some sense of securing that they can work here in Tasmania."
Mr Bacon said the government's 8000 jobs budget promise was appearing increasingly challenging.
"Now we know that is becoming less and less likely as each month goes by," he said.
