The latest ABS Labour Force data shows employment continued to grow in March, and there are now 261,600 Tasmanians in work.

Tasmanian employment is at the second highest level on record, just 100 persons lower than the record high recorded just before the pandemic.

There are now 2,800 more Tasmanian jobs, 6,100 more full-time jobs, and 800 more women employed than this time last year.

At the same time, our participation rate continues to grow, as growth in job vacancies in Tasmania is the highest of any state, and job seeker confidence increases.

Importantly, since the majority Liberal Government came to Government in March 2014, there have been 26,800 jobs created and our unemployment rate is 1.7 points lower, despite the pandemic. The stark difference between the Liberal Government’s and Labor’s record couldn’t be clearer, when under the Labor-Green Government, 10,000 jobs were lost.

According to ABS Payroll Jobs data earlier this week, wages are now 1.5 per cent higher than before the pandemic, which is higher than the growth seen in other states.

Employment is back to pre-pandemic levels, our businesses are confident, investing and hiring, and our economy is now larger than before the pandemic.

We have presented clear policies in this campaign focused on growing skills, creating Jobs Hubs and delivering our Jobs Plan to provide even more opportunities for Tasmanians to get a job.

Only a re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government has a clear plan to secure Tasmania’s future and continue our strong economic management to ensure business confidence and create jobs.