Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens’ Leader
The majority of jobs in regional Tasmania are at high risk of being lost to automation, yet the Liberal Government seems to be asleep at the wheel.
The Regional Australia Institute today launched a Regional Job Automation Pack. The data highlights significant vulnerabilities in Tasmania, particularly in regional areas.
Almost three quarters of all jobs in regional Tasmania are at moderate to high risk of being lost to automation. Across the State, around 60% of all jobs are at risk.
In regions classified as Heartland, which make up the majority of areas outside of Launceston and the Greater Hobart Area, the average percentage of jobs classified as low risk to automation is only 27.5%, compared to 29.1% nationally.
47.4% are classified as at moderate risk, and 26.1% as high risk, compared to 48.4% and 22.5% respectively at a national level.
Statewide, 38.6% of jobs are low risk, 33.4% moderate risk and 28% high risk. Hospitality, retail, admin and factory workers are the most common at risk professions. Education, health, construction, carers, and information and organisation professionals are the most common low risk professions.
The Liberals are focusing their efforts disproportionately on high automation risk sectors such as hospitality, resources, retail and aquaculture.
The Liberals’ vision for new sectors is limited to defence manufacturing, which is ridiculous.
With more than 60% of Tasmania’s jobs at moderate to high risk of automation, and 73.5% of Tasmania’s regional jobs at moderate to high risk of automation, we need a plan and a vision that looks forward, not backwards to the old industries.