MICHELLE PAINE, The Mercury:

MANY Tasmanian casual workers struggle to put food on the table, a new study shows. The Anglicare survey has shattered the casual-worker stereotype, showing one in four workers were 40 years of age or older. Key findings of the survey of 2000 Tasmanians included: One in five, about 40,000 Tasmanian workers, were casuals; Nearly half wanted a permanent job; Workers on very long hours wanted less yet part-timers were under-employed; Thousands had no superannuation and would rely on taxpayer-funded pensions; One-quarter of casuals worried about food. The report said that despite jobs growth, more than 7000 Tasmanians had been on unemployment payments for two years-plus, nearly half the 16,900 on Newstart.

Read more here: Casual worker shock