Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Bushby is absolutely right to point to the high rate of unemployment in our home state of Tasmania—the highest in the country and the legacy of the double whammy of Greens-Labor governments in Canberra and Hobart. Our removal of duplicative green tape is designed to create jobs, especially in Tasmania. According to BAEconomics 1,240 job opportunities for unemployed Tasmanians will be trashed and $2,800 million in gross state product will be lost forever if this deal holds. All Tasmanians should reflect on the long-term consequences for our fellow unemployed Tasmanians of this short-term, politically charged deal relating to the Queensland state election. Trading Tasmanian jobs for state election success in Queensland is neither honourable nor honest. (Time expired)