1303.6 - Tasmanian Statistical Indicators, May 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/05/2004   
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THE LABOUR FORCE

Trend estimates

There were an estimated 227,300 persons (based on trend estimates) in the labour force in March 2004 and an estimated 384,000 civilian Tasmanians aged 15 years or more, yielding a labour force participation rate of 59.2%, compared to the March 2003 estimate of 58.9%. The Australian labour force participation rate for March 2004 was 63.6%, compared to the March 2003 estimate of 63.9% - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).

For Tasmanian males, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 67.2% in March 2004, compared to the March 2003 estimate of 66.9%. For Tasmanian females, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 51.6% in March 2004, compared to 51.2% in March 2003.


EMPLOYMENT

Trend estimates

The trend estimate of the total number of employed persons in Tasmania in March 2004 was 211,800, compared to 203,000 in March 2003, an increase of 4.3%. Employment over the same period increased in New South Wales by 1.2%, Victoria by 1.1%, Queensland by 2.8%, and Western Australia by 1.1%. Employment in South Australia decreased by -3.2%. The increase in the national employment figure over the same period was 1.5% - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).

EMPLOYMENT, TASMANIA
Graph: Employment Tasmania


UNEMPLOYMENT

Trend estimates

The trend estimate of the number of unemployed persons in Tasmania for March 2004 was 15,500 compared to 19,800 in March 2003. The trend estimate of the unemployment rate for March 2004 was 6.8%, a decrease from the March 2003 figure of 8.9%. The Australian trend estimate of the unemployment rate was 5.7% in March 2004 compared to 6.2% in March 2003 - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0).

UNEMPLOYMENT, TASMANIA
Graph: Unemployment Tasmania


HOUSING FINANCE

Trend estimates

In trend terms, the number of housing finance commitments in Tasmania for February 2004 was 1,053 a decrease of 4.5% from the previous month. In the same period, the trend estimate for Australia decreased by 3.3%.

The Tasmanian trend estimate decreased by 5.1% between February 2003 and February 2004, while the national trend estimate decreased by 0.2%. The increases in the number of housing finance commitments over the same period for the other states and territories were South Australia (3.8%), Western Australia (9.2%) and Northern Territory (19.9%). The states and territories to record a decrease were Victoria (-3.7%), Queensland (-1.3%) and Australian Capital Territory (-23.3%). New South Wales did not change - see Housing Finance for Owner Occupation, Australia (cat. no. 5609.0).

HOUSING FINANCE TASMANIA, Number of dwellings
Graph: Housing Finance Tasmania


HOUSING FINANCE AUSTRALIA, Number of dwellings
Graph: Housing Finance Australia


BUILDING APPROVALS

Original terms

There were 201 dwelling units approved in Tasmania during February 2004, including 185 new houses. This compares with 198 dwelling units approved during January 2004, including 176 new houses. The number of dwelling units approved in February 2004 increased by 32.2% from the 152 approvals recorded in February 2003.

At current prices, the value of total building approved in Tasmania was $47.8m in February 2004, which was 4.1% above the January 2004 figure of $45.9m and 18.3% above the February 2003 figure of $40.4m. Residential building contributed $33.5m and non-residential building $14.3m in February 2004 - see Building Approvals, Australia (cat. no. 8731.0).


RETAIL

Trend estimates

In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Australia for February 2004 was $15,809.2m, an 8.4% increase from the February 2003 estimate of $14,588.0m. In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Tasmania for February 2004 was $335.7m, a 12.2% increase from the February 2003 estimate of $299.3m - see Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0).


SALES OF NEW MOTOR VEHICLES

Trend estimates

In trend terms, there were 1,533 new motor vehicles sold in Tasmania in January 2004, compared to 1,580 sold in December 2003. The number of new motor vehicles sold in January 2004 increased by 20.1% from the January 2003 figure of 1,276. Passenger vehicles represented 58.8% of all new vehicles sold in Tasmania in January 2004. Nationally, the trend estimate of new motor vehicles sold in January 2004 was 76,437, an increase of 6.4% from the January 2003 figure of 71,871 - see Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (Electronic Publication) (cat. no. 9314.0).


CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Original terms

In original terms, the estimate of total capital expenditure at current prices for Australia in the December quarter 2003 was $13,778m, an 8.0% increase from the September quarter estimate of $12,755m. In original terms, the estimate of total capital expenditure at current prices for Tasmania in the December quarter 2003 was $159m, a 0.6% decrease from the September quarter estimate of $160m.

For Tasmania, the estimate for expenditure on buildings and structures increased by 17.6% from the September quarter to the December quarter 2003, and the estimate for expenditure on equipment, plant and machinery decreased by 2.8%. The estimates of expenditure by the mining industry increased from $5m to $9m, and expenditure by the manufacturing industry and other selected industries each decreased in the December quarter 2003 - see Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure (cat. no. 5625.0).


LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERING

Trend estimates

Movements of February 2004 trend estimates showed slight increases in two of the livestock slaughtering series from the previous month: cattle and calves rose by 1.9%, and pigs rose by 0.5%. The trend estimate for the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered fell by 2.4%.

The trend estimate for the number of cattle and calves slaughtered in February 2004 was 23,800, up by 6.7% on the estimate for February 2003 and up by 59.5% on the estimate for February 2002.

The trend estimate for the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered in February 2004 was 63,400, down by 1.5% on the estimate for February 2003 and up by 25.9% on the estimate for February 2002.

The trend estimate for the number of pigs slaughtered in February 2004 was 3,900, down by 3.4% on the estimate for February 2003 and down by 5.3% on the estimate for February 2002.


OVERSEAS TRADE

The value of Tasmania's exports for the month of February 2004 was $152m, a decrease of 10% on the month of January 2004. Australia's exports for February 2004 totalled $8,390m.

Tasmania's major export destinations for the month of February 2004 were Japan ($43.9m), Hong Kong ($24.1m) and United States of America ($18.7m). Major commodity groups exported for the month were non-ferrous metals ($39.5m), metallic ores and metal scrap ($10.5m) and meat and meat preparations ($9.9m).


CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

The Consumer Price Index (All groups) for Hobart increased by 0.6% in the December quarter of 2003. Sydney recorded the largest increase (0.8%) while Melbourne recorded the lowest (0.2%). The weighted average of the eight capital cities increased by 0.5%.