ABS data released today shows strong growth in February 2021 across our economy, including in retail trade, exports and housing finance, and also in job vacancies.

Retail trade is 10.3 per cent higher than February last year, while Tasmania exported $3.65 billion in merchandise exports, which was 2.3 per cent higher than the previous year, bucking the national trend.

These results are testament to Tasmania’s high business confidence, with Tasmanians backing local business and our Trade Strategy in action.

Our housing sector continues to show strong performance, with 915 new housing loan commitments in February representing close to 46 loans per business day, 10 per cent higher than the previous month, and the second highest growth rate of the states.

New construction loans also hit a series high of 220 for the month, remaining at elevated levels since the announcement of our HomeBuilder Scheme in June last year.

And contrary to the continued and shameless negativity of David O’Byrne, who continues to talk Tasmania down, job vacancies in the February 2021 quarter were 66 per cent higher than the same time last year.

This was the highest growth rate of the states and more than double the growth seen nationwide over the year.

Tasmania’s private sector job vacancies are 75.4 per cent higher than in the February quarter last year, which was the strongest growth of any state and demonstrates the strong economic investment across our State.

Only a majority Gutwein Liberal Government has a clear plan to Secure Tasmania’s Future, supporting business and growing our economy to create more local jobs.