Labor stands for well-paid, safe and secure jobs.

A huge part of this is removing barriers to workforce participation – like childcare – so that people who want to work, can.

Today’s Report on Government services data shows 38.5 per cent of Tasmanians aged 15 and older are not in the labour force mainly because of child care service related reasons. This is 10 per cent more than the national average (28.3 per cent).

With just 61 per cent of the working-age population in the labour force, Tasmania has the lowest participation rate in the nation – well behind the national average of 66.7 per cent.

According to the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, if Tasmania’s participation rate was at the national average over 11,000 jobs would be created, households would be $1,500 better off and the State’s economy would be boosted by $3.7 billion.

Labor’s priority is making sure Tasmanians can have well-paid, safe and secure jobs and we’re willing to work with everyone to boost participation.

We went to the last election with a strong childcare agenda, and we will continue to put pressure on the government to do more for families struggling to access childcare to help Tasmanians get into good jobs.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Workplace Relations and Safety