Abbott patronising Tasmania: Labor

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has been accused by Labor opponents of patronising Tasmanians with his jobs plan for the state.

Mr Abbott has visited vulnerable ALP seats Bass and Braddon, unveiling a plan to pay employers $250 per fortnight for six months to hire an unemployed Tasmanian.

He has also suggested the state could become a "special economic zone" to help it out of an economic trough that has meant its nation-high unemployment has risen to 8.4 per cent.

Labor member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom blasted Mr Abbott's announcements.

"What does special economic zone mean? Once again - no detail, just a three-word slogan," Mr Sidebottom said.

"We don't need your patronising Mr Abbott - just tell us your policies."

Mr Sidebottom said Labor was meeting the challenge with the hand-out of $100 million for job-creating projects as part of the state's forestry peace deal.

Tasmanian Labor Premier Lara Giddings, speaking before the employment plan was unveiled, reacted with caution to the possibility of an economic zone.

"The devil's always in the detail and that's what I would want to know," she said.

A day after a jobs crisis summit in Launceston, Ms Giddings warned there were no easy answers for the island's jobless.

"This is a complex economic problem and any party who claims there are quick fixes is conning Tasmanians," she said.

Tasmanian Opposition Leader Will Hodgman, who appeared with Mr Abbott in Devonport and will face the electorate himself next March, welcomed the policies.

"Tasmania has gone from a jobs crisis to a catastrophe in just a few weeks," Mr Hodgman said.

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said coalition plans also included cuts to Hydro Tasmania's $70 million carbon windfall and to the state's university.

"Tony Abbott must come clean on what the coalition plans really mean for Tasmania," Senator Whish-Wilson said.

Mr Abbott says a comprehensive plan for Tasmania will be unveiled in coming weeks.