The TCCI is the voice of business in Tasmania and is calling on the Government to do more to help boost participation.
TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said the latest participation figures from the ABS released today show that Tasmania has the worst participation rate in the country.
Tasmania’s participation rate in June this year was 61.2 per cent, while the national average was 66.8 per cent. Tasmania’s participation rate has dropped by one percentage point over the past 12 months, which is very concerning.
“If our participation rate was at the national average, over a ten-year period 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,” Mr Bailey said.
“The TCCI is calling on the Tasmanian Government to make boosting participation a core component of its upcoming budget and address barriers like transport, literacy, skills and childcare.
“There are no silver bullets or easy solutions to this. It’s a long-term issue, but the best place to start is with a clear plan and the resources needed to tackle the issue and make it a priority.”
Mr Bailey said the TCCI has established a participation taskforce, which has brought together a range of key stakeholders to discuss ways to tackle the issue.