Editorial: Government handouts helping now but we need to focus on creating jobs for the many

JobSeeker and Keeper payments have kept the wolf from the door and kept the economy ticking over – but there just aren’t enough jobs going around, we need to change our focus, writes Jenna Cairney.

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JOBKEEPER payments have kept the wolf from the door as businesses fight to survive coronavirus.

And the JobSeeker supplement has helped keep the economy ticking over while providing welcome support to those doing it tough.

But governments cannot keep paying out these billions forever.

A new study from Anglicare shows why big-picture thinking and action is needed right now.

Disadvantaged Tasmanian jobseekers are competing with at least 20 others for every entry-level job in the state, writes reporter Jessica Howard today. That’s more than double the national average.

If all jobseekers, including those with more skills, were factored in, there would be 106 vying for each entry-level job.

There are nowhere near enough jobs to go around.

These are the figures that should strike horror into the hearts of our leaders — and it should get them out of their chairs, working the phones and talking with experts to find solutions.

At the same time, 1300 businesses in Australia are signing up to JobKeeper, every single day. As of last week, Tasmania had nearly 17,000 businesses being kept afloat by JobSeeker. Each one is led by someone being kept awake at night by the challenges and not wanting to let down their employees.

To create jobs and support our economy, the state needs big projects with a strong and sustainable future.

Housing, including affordable homes, must be part of the picture as we continue to attract new residents from interstate, many with sought-after skills.

That means ensuring unnecessary red tape is cut and that councils work with developers to present ideas that invest dollars in our state while being projects in which we can take pride.

Such developments also mean more opportunities for apprentices and trainees, of which we need many more in Tasmania.

Some projects will have uncertain futures because we do not know when overseas travel will return and under what restrictions. Others should be able to thrive whatever the circumstances, for example, opportunities in hydrogen and renewable energy.

Here Tasmania punches above its weight, with skills close to hand.

A $21m fund announced yesterday for training organisations should help the economic picture, offering free training aimed in particular at school leavers and young people.

A skilled-up population is not just important for the economy, but for a healthier and happier community.

In the meantime, the Australian Retailers Association urges those who can afford it to dig deep and support our smaller operators to keep them going through these hardest of times.

We must all pull together.