Getting more Tasmanians into work

Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker and Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson met today with local business to discuss the Coalition Government’s plans to build a stronger Tasmanian economy and create more jobs.

The Assistant Minister told a small business forum in Brighton that reducing red tape and taxes is the key to rebuilding the Tasmanian economy and getting people into work.

"The Coalition recognises that businesses are the generators of jobs in our economy. The Government’s plan to repeal the carbon and mining taxes and reduce red and green tape will help reduce costs for business and create more employment opportunities," Mr Hartsuyker said.

Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson said the Government’s plan to support business and grow jobs includes the Tasmanian Jobs Programme which provides a one-off payment of $3250 to any Tasmanian business that employs eligible job seekers for a period of at least six months.

"This programme was rolled out on 1 January 2014, six months earlier than planned, and shows the Coalition’s commitment to helping more Tasmanians into work," Mr Hutchinson said.

The Coalition is also introducing a new Job Commitment Bonus of up to $6500 to encourage long-term unemployed young Australians to find a job and remain off welfare, and a payment of up to $6000 to assist job seekers move to take up a job under the Government’s Relocation to Take Up a Job programme.

The Government will also introduce a Seniors Employment Incentive payment providing eligible businesses with a payment of up to $3250 if they hire a job seeker aged 50 or over, who has been unemployed for at least six months and is receiving income support.

"Helping business to grow and prosper and create more jobs is what this Government was elected to do, and I am proud to say we have already started delivering on these commitments," Mr Hartsuyker said.

For further information on Job Services Australia www.employment.gov.au.