With the only Liberal Government in Australia at the helm, Tasmania’s economy is once again leading the nation according to CommSec’s May 2023 State of the States report.
This strong result once again shows that the Rockliff Liberal Government’s plan for Tasmania is working, as our State’s economy continues to break records.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania’s economy has now led the nation for 11 out of the previous 13 quarters and has improved on all eight performance indicators in the report since the 2014 election.
“Our Government is getting things done to build a strong economy, and this outstanding result is more proof that our plan is working,” the Premier said.
“We are kicking goals on a number of fronts in the report, including dwelling starts, and construction work – demonstrating that our focus on building more homes quicker is working.
“Our plan will build on these gains as we create more jobs, build even more homes, invest more into healthcare, and grow an even more resilient and diverse economy for the future.
“It’s only by having a strong economy that we can reinvest more into the things Tasmanians care about like health, housing and easing cost of living pressures, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Treasurer Michael Ferguson said Tasmania leads the nation on dwelling starts with a 17.8 per cent increase over the decade average, compared with the next best State, along with ranking second for housing finance.
“This not only confirms our investment to build more social and affordable homes is working, but the private sector is playing its part – thanks to the strong actions we have taken to make Tasmania a job-creating environment that encourages investment and promotes growth,” the Treasurer said.
“Construction work is also 13.5 per cent above the decade average, as we roll out our strong infrastructure program.
“Tasmania has also recorded the largest improvement in the unemployment rate, with our record 3.8 per cent unemployment representing a 37.7 per cent improvement over the decade average.
“This shows just how far we’ve come since the disastrous Labor-Green Government, when unemployment rates were as high as 7.9 per cent..
“This comes off the back of recent ABS employment data which showed that a record high of 291,800 Tasmanians now in work, representing the equal second highest monthly increase in the nation.
"These are more than just numbers - each of these jobs represents a real Tasmanian family that now has more opportunities to do the things they want and plan for the future with confidence.’
“More than 11,600 more Tasmanians are in jobs compared to the same time last year, and 56,700 compared to when the Labor-Green Government was voted out in 2014.
“There is no doubt that Tasmania’s economic performance leads the nation, and Tasmanians are better off on every metric under the Rockliff Liberal Government.”