Tasmanian Government infrastructure spending and the Australian Government stimulus package are helping hold down the State’s unemployment rate, Treasurer Michael Aird said today.

“Although the trend rate in the latest ABS statistics rose from 5.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent Tasmania outperformed NSW, Victoria and South Australia,” Mr Aird said.

“The fact that Tasmania’s unemployment rate remains below the national average demonstrates that out economic strategy is on the right track.

“If we had taken the approach promoted by the Liberals and opposed the national stimulus package Tasmania would be in a desperate economic position.

“It is by working with the Australian Government we are able to get good outcomes in even these difficult times.

“Nevertheless, we forecast rising unemployment in the 2009-10 Budget as the global economic crisis bites.

“The challenge for us is to continue to work to minimise the impact of the global financial crisis on Tasmania and that is a challenge the Bartlett Government accepts.”