Today's ABS population figures show that the State's population is growing.
While the rate of Tasmanians leaving the State to find opportunities elsewhere is still too high, it is finally starting to reduce and with over 6,000 new jobs being created since the election and a construction boom underway we hope to see more ex-pat Tasmanians return home to live, work and raise a family.
The Liberal Government is committed to our population target of 650,000 people by 2050.
We know this is a bold target that's not without its challenges but we need to go for growth because we recognise that population growth is critical to sustaining economic growth for Tasmania.
Given the significance of the population challenge, growing the population will require deliberate, targeted and strategic intervention.
That is why the Government is developing a Population Strategy. As part of the development of the Strategy, early in the new year the Government will be releasing a Discussion Paper seeking input from experts, local government and the broader community on the best ways to achieve our population target.
Our Population Strategy will be a comprehensive blueprint for Tasmania's future and will complement our long-term Plan for the State.
In the meantime, we are getting on with creating jobs and growing the economy, because that is the best way to attract people to Tasmania.