Tasmania must work harder to pursue a diverse range of export markets, state Labor Leader Rebecca White says.
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"Labor knows that exporting produce off island is key to creating secure, full-time jobs right here in Tasmania," Ms White said.
China is by far Tasmania's biggest export market, and the Asia-Pacific region takes the vast bulk of Tasmanian exports.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last week showed Tasmania's run of strong growth in merchandise exports had stalled and started to reverse.
The value of Tasmanian exports sent overseas fell by 0.3 per cent in the year to August, compared to national export growth of 17.7 per cent.
It prompted Ms White to says Tasmanian exporters were not getting the full benefits of positive trade conditions while Premier Will Hodgman "sat on his hands".
Mr Hodgman responded by saying Tasmania's merchandise export value of $3.71 billion for the year was 34.1 per cent more than in the year when the government took office and only slightly off last year's record high.
"But we know there is more to do, which is why the government has developed Tasmania's first trade strategy, to ensure we are positioned to be globally competitive, help our businesses expand their presence in markets around the world, attract more investment and create more local jobs for the long term," he said.
"Our commitment to empowering Tasmanian businesses to take their products to the world is demonstrated through our trade and investment mission program, as well as the support we offer for them to showcase their products to major export partners just like we are doing this week at Pacific 2019 in Sydney".
Asked what a Labor government would do to lift export growth, Ms White on Tuesday listed ideas including major Burnie port upgrading, increasing apprenticeships and hydrogen export potential.
"We know that infrastructure, particularly at our ports, is critical for the viability of export businesses," Ms White said.
"That's why we've called out Will Hodgman and (Infrastructure Minister) Michael Ferguson for their failure to invest in Burnie Port, including projects that would allow bigger ships to dock and, therefore, help a number of exciting new projects get off the ground."
Leading up to this year's federal election campaign, the Coalition pledged $40 million for a new bulk minerals shiploader at the port, saying it would be able to accommodate bigger vessels and handle increased volumes of material.
Mr Hodgman said: "(Shadow Infrastructure Minister) Shane Broad and Labor continue to perpetuate this weird myth that the government isn't investing in the Port of Burnie, despite our 10-year infrastructure pipeline showing expenditure of $35 million in a new, high-capacity mineral concentrates shiploader and a $6 million expansion of the mineral concentrates shed at the Port."
"The TasPorts ports master plan released last year included three major projects, one of which was to upgrade the Port of Burnie to accommodate Toll's larger ships."
He said that work was completed this year.
"We welcome the Morrison Government's commitment to invest $40 million to replace the minerals concentrates shiploader, operated by TasRail, a productivity driver which Labor does not support," Mr Hodgman said.
"The Port of Burnie is one of the most important in Tasmania, with the highest volume of trade, and further deepening of berths at the port will be considered by TasPorts under its ports planning processes."
Ms White said exporters depended on a skilled workforce, but more than 2000 apprenticeships had been lost under Mr Hodgman.
She said Labor would provide free TAFE in areas where there were known skill shortages.
Mr Hodgman said: "The latest National Centre for Vocational Education and Research data shows that to March 2019, Tasmanian trade apprenticeships have surged by 10.4 per cent, despite a drop in the national average, and we are delivering the highest completion rates in the country."
Ms White said: "We know that the government needs to grasp the opportunities of the rapidly growing hydrogen export industry, which could create 500 jobs in Northern Tasmania," she said.
Energy Minister Guy Barnett on Friday said the government was investing heavily to develop the state's hydrogen potential.