The Deputy Premier Bryan Green today condemned the Liberals as prophets of doom and of undermining growing confidence in Tasmania's economy.

Mr Green said the Liberals were continuing to seize on any data to talk down the Tasmanian economy while ignoring positive investment and job announcements.

"Only last week we saw developments worth tens of millions of dollars with the prospect of over 700 new jobs and as usual the Liberals were nowhere to be seen," he said.

"These are all positive announcements that show there is resilience in the Tasmanian economy, and they're all developments on which the Tasmanian Liberal Party has remained deathly silent.

 

"We have just seen approval for plans by Tasmania's major salmon producers for a major expansion at Macquarie Harbour worth tens of millions of dollars, which will create 200 jobs.

 

"We've seen the official opening of the new $84 million Statewide Independent Wholesalers distribution centre in Launceston, along with approval of the business case for the $40 million South East Irrigation Scheme, which has the potential to create more than 500 jobs."

 

"And we've also had announcements about a mining lease for Venture Minerals' Livingstone project near Tullah, which will create 30 jobs in construction and a further 30 in operation."

 

Mr Green said growth in private new capital expenditure, investment in plant and equipment and investment in buildings and structure are all positive signs for the state's economy.

 

"While these figures are coming from a low base, the level of growth is encouraging," he said.

 

"It's disappointing that the Tasmanian Liberals continue to ignore these positives, and are instead gleefully talking up whatever negative data they can get their hands on.

 

"We are not backing away from the fact that we are facing significant challenges.

 

"Instead we're getting on with creating jobs and returning the state's economy to a sustainable position."

 

Mr Green said the facts were that Tasmania has recorded:

 

·         25 per cent growth over the past year to $345 million in private new capital expenditure, up 73 per cent on the low recorded just over two years ago;

·         a 26.9 per cent increase in investment in plant and equipment;

·         a 16.7 per cent increase in investment in buildings and structures;

·         an increase of 2.8 per cent in building approvals in March; and

·         Three months consecutive growth in retail spending.

 

 

"They celebrate every piece of negative economic data, while ignoring the positives - like the near-record $4.5 billion in private investment over the past year.

 

"While the Liberals will no doubt continue to try and talk down this State, and try and con Tasmanians with unfunded promises in their alternative budget, we're getting on with growing jobs and strengthening our economy."

 

Mr Green said it was disappointing that Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein failed to heed the words of business figures like Woolworths CEO Grant O'Brien - who last week said:

 

"We are really optimistic about the future of this state. It is a really resilient state and I think people should be looking forward with a little more confidence than maybe they have at the moment.