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The exodus of young people from
Tasmania is a major threat to the State’s economic,
social and cultural future.
The State Opposition is focused on
strategies to make Tasmania a magnet for younger
people and help the State realise its potential.
The Leader of the State Opposition,
Will Hodgman, said he did not want Tasmania to
become the nicest retirement village on the planet.
That Tasmania’s demographic is ageing
faster than any other Australian State or Territory
is well known. Strategies are needed to prepare for
the many challenges this poses.
However, a key failure of the Lennon
Labor Government has been countering the loss of
young people from Tasmania that is exacerbating this
demographic shift and putting us on a worrying
economic footing for the longer-term.
Young people still leaving the State
Migration statistics for 2005/06 from
the Australian Bureau of Statistics show Tasmania
has, yet again, posted a net interstate migration
loss in the 20-34 age group.
Many
of these people will not return, so we will lose
their offspring too.
A
government submission to a 2004 Productivity
Commission inquiry on the ageing population said:
“The numbers of Tasmanians in younger
age groups (under 15 years, 15-34 and 35-54) appear
to have already peaked and are projected to decline
significantly over the next four decades.
“In contrast, the number of Tasmanians aged 55-64
is continuing to grow and the number aged 65 and
over is projected to more than double over the next
four decades. The number aged 80 and over is
projected to more than treble during the same
period.”
More older migrants
In 2004/05 people aged 65 and over
accounted for 43% of Tasmania’s net gain in
interstate migrants - although this age group
accounted for less than 4% of all interstate
movements nationally that year. Despite the State
Government’s rhetoric of record population figures,
the fact is that so far as interstate migration is
concerned, our net gains have fallen:
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03/04 - 2500 |
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04/05 - 187
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05/06 - 60 |
Even in the year there was a net gain
of 2500 interstate migrants, there was a net loss in
the 15-29 year age group.
And as soon as 2023, the ABS predicts
that deaths will start exceeding births in this
State, further compounding the problem.
“The
knowledge and experience of older Tasmanians must be
blended with the potential of young, skilled and
highly productive people who already live here, or
who will want to come here,” Mr Hodgman said.
“Tasmania should
become
the
place for younger people to be.”
Policy focus
Some of the key
areas of policy the State Opposition is focussing on
to make Tasmania a magnet for young people are:
Educational excellence and partnering
“It is critical that we educate young
Tasmanians better and make Tasmania a truly
intelligent island where smart people want to live
and work,” Mr Hodgman said.
“Tasmania should be a hub of educational excellence
for students from all over the world.
“We should actively explore with the University of
Tasmania the vast potential of partnering with
overseas universities to create more diverse and
exciting learning opportunities which will attract
intelligent and imaginative people to our state.
Creating more international education presence will
extend our horizons and our outcomes.”
Tasmania can lead the world in education and skills
training through more effective relations between
business and industry, all tiers of government, the
University of Tasmania, TAFE, and other tertiary and
educational institutions.
Aiming high
Tasmania ought to be more aggressively pursuing
‘high end industries’, such as information and
communications technology, agribusiness, research
and development and taking advantage of its natural
advantages that spawn industries such as aquaculture
and viticulture.
Tasmania is well-placed to become a world-leader in
jobs associated with the research and mitigation of
climate change. A Centre of Excellence involving the
combined expertise of organisations such as the
Australian Antarctic Division, the Commission for
the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources, the CSIRO, the University of Tasmania,
the Hydro, and others, should be pursued.
Migration
“There is great
potential to make Tasmania a destination of choice
for skilled and business migrants,” Mr Hodgman said.
“And Tasmania must pursue a greater share of
migrants and more effective processes to enable them
to move here, whilst ensuring we also have the
appropriate support structures in place so they
stay. State Government human and financial resources
need to be extended to achieve that.”
Mr
Hodgman said he’d had preliminary discussions with
the office of the Federal Minister for Immigration
and Citizenship, Mr Kevin Andrews, about skilled and
business migration.
Mr Hodgman also will be discussing opportunities
with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
and other key stakeholders.
Perceptions of Tasmania
Young people often leave Tasmania or
decide not to live here because of perceptions. We
need extensive and incisive research to find out
exactly why this happens, and an effective campaign
to find ways to bring our young people back and also
to lure others here from interstate and overseas.
“We need a more vibrant community
that offers young people the opportunities and
interests they presently believe can only be found
elsewhere and that meets their lifestyle aspirations
and needs,” Mr Hodgman said.
“International students can be ambassadors for our
State during and after their studies here. They also
potential permanent residents and can be future
citizens applying the skills they’ve gained here in
our community. We must work with the university and
the international student fraternity to highlight
the opportunities of life in Tasmania.”
Lifestyle
Tasmania has an
inimitable lifestyle that should be irresistible.
Other key areas
of policy that should be addressed to harness our
potential include:
Addressing the shortage and cost of child-care to
make Tasmania more attractive to younger working
families and as a place for having and raising
children;
More aggressively promoting the development of
tourism initiatives such as adventure-tourism,
eco-tourism and the high-end health and well-being
market;
Creating a more vibrant cultural, social and
entertainment environment for younger people. The
redevelopment of the Hobart waterfront precinct is
an opportunity to better provide for more diverse
and appealing attractions for the young people who
live here, and those who visit the city; and
Securing a more
diverse range of major sporting and recreational
events.
“Tourism has a
key role in supporting the State’s economy, and
promoting our fantastic lifestyle,” Mr Hodgman said.
“We want those
who visit to come back again. Not as tourists, but
to live here.”
Labor’s record is weak
It was only last year that the State
Government finally saw fit to establish a
Demographic Change Taskforce. But its recently
released discussion paper does not even mention the
continued exodus of young people from our state.
Our
numeracy and literacy rates are below the national
average and the year 12 retention rate is the worst
of any State.
Our youth
unemployment is the second highest in Australia at
25.4%, compared with a national average of 17.4%.
The services and facilities provided
by the government specifically for younger people
are disjointed, and not user-friendly.
“Labor’s vision
for Tasmania is short-sighted and limited to a few
pet projects,” Mr Hodgman said.
“We have to identify and implement actions that
influence a greater awareness of Tasmania both
nationally and overseas, and which generate
interest, excitement and a desire to invest, work
and live here.
“Tasmania is changing, and this is presenting us
with many challenges, but also opportunities we can
not afford to waste.
“Our vision is of a more diverse, vibrant and
exciting Tasmania that draws young people from all
over the world, like a magnet.”
Further information: Jay Pleass - 0400 904 892
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