Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Monday 11th January 2010

What will Aird do to stop the slide?

• Today’s Commsec report predicts the Tasmanian economy to slide
• The Treasurer has done nothing to boost exports
• Businesses in Tasmania are shedding jobs

Today’s Commsec report states that the Tasmanian economy “…may slip modestly down the leader-board as the global economy recovers”.

This is worrying news for Tasmanians, especially after the economy has taken major hits with the announcements that paper mills will close in Burnie and Wesley Vale and that McCains vegetable processing plant in Smithton will shut down.

While the Treasurer and Premier have been prepared to gloat that the Tasmanian economy is performing well compared to other states, we have squandered our time at the top and now the other states are beginning to grow again and overtake us.

This is just another example of a Government that is so focused on itself and the problems it has created that it can’t take advantage of the opportunities that come along.

We shouldn’t forget that while the Premier and Treasurer are patting themselves on the back, nearly 9,000 jobs have disappeared in the 12 months to November 2009.

If the Premier and Treasurer are content that this is as good as it gets for the Tasmanian economy then that is just another reason why Tasmania needs real change at the next election. Only a Hodgman Liberal Government will drive the economy forward by ultimately eliminating Land Tax, boosting exports, cutting waste and cutting Labor’s water and sewerage tax.