TasCOSS lays bares the harsh reality of the ‘other’ Tasmania

More Tasmanians are accessing welfare, battling underemployment and waiting on the housing register today than when the Hodgman Government came to power in 2014.

TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said its analysis suggested the Government was underspending on most measures. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

MORE Tasmanians are accessing welfare, battling underemployment and waiting on the housing register today than when the Hodgman Government came to power in 2014.

New analysis from the Tasmanian Council of Social Service lays bare what chief executive Kym Goodes has described as “the harsh reality of the ‘other’ Tasmania” — one where more and more people are falling behind.

“These numbers tell the clear story of the increased pace of division and inequality in Tasmania,” said Ms Goodes.

“They tell the story of two Tasmanias — one where some of us get to enjoy the benefits of a strong economy and the other where waiting lists, health, training and employment outcomes are getting worse at a rapid rate.”

The figures show the number of Tasmanians accessing energy concessions has risen from 88,430 people in 2013-14 to 92,863 people in 2018-19.

More Tasmanians are homeless or living in cars as they struggle to find rental accommodation. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

While the number of unemployed has dropped to 17,500 people this financial year, the number of people facing underemployment — meaning they cannot get enough work — has risen to 26,800 Tasmanians from 25,700 five years ago.

Priority public housing applicants are waiting an average 56 weeks for a home, and the public housing wait list has blown out by 1179 people since 2013-14, to 3233 this year.

“As you read these statistics, remember that each number represents a real person, their lives and families,” Ms Goodes said.

“We cannot wait for a ‘better time’ to act on these outcomes — Tasmanians have waited long enough for the ‘right’ economic conditions to permit the Government to prioritise investment in them.

“The fact our Government hasn’t yet found the capacity to invest in our people as well as our economy diminishes every one of us.”

Table showing increading inequality in Tasmania

Table showing increading inequality in Tasmania

The TasCOSS analysis also suggested the Government was underspending on most measures compared to what the Commonwealth believed should be spent for Tasmania to keep pace with other states and territories.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein yesterday said the Government’s projected infrastructure spend and social housing targets would help lift the fortunes of Tasmania’s disadvantaged. “The most important thing to assist somebody to get a job is to have a job for them to go to,” Mr Gutwein said.

“This Budget will create 10,000 new jobs and we’re putting in place mechanisms such as the strategic growth initiative to ensure we can provide a hand-up to people regardless of wherever they live in the state to ensure they can share in the benefits of a growing economy.”