The Tasmanian Government’s priority has been to keep Tasmanians safe and secure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a Government we have taken proactive steps, both with our border strategies to manage the risk of the virus in the state, and providing support to Tasmanians, with the largest support package in the country, proportionate to the size of our economy.
Today’s negative State Final Demand figures for Tasmania whilst disappointing, are not unexpected and show that for 2019-20, Tasmania had the equal second best performing economy of the states.
Importantly, the 2019-20 outcome of -0.1 per cent is significantly better than the -1½ per cent estimated in the May Economic Fiscal update, as well as the most recent revised forecast of - ¾ per cent in August.
We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economies right around the world and Tasmania is not immune, with today’s June quarter State Final Demand figures showing that we have been impacted in line with the result seen nationally.
However we also know that Tasmania entered the pandemic from a position of strength, and together we will rebuild a stronger Tasmania.
2020 has been a year like no other and we will continue to provide as much support as we can to support our local economy and local jobs.