Bundaberg forum targets local employment

Treasurer Curtis Pitt will meet with business and community leaders in Bundaberg as part of Community Cabinet to discuss employment issues and how government and the community can work together to generate more jobs.

Mr Pitt said creating jobs was the Palaszczuk Government’s number one priority.

“We have a plan to create more jobs and get more Queenslanders back to work,” Mr Pitt said.

“Our Jobs Now, Jobs for the Future employment strategy includes the $1.6 billion Working Queensland jobs package to support businesses, provide skills training and get Queenslanders back to work.

“Over recent years, the Wide Bay-Burnett region’s labour market has faced some challenges.

“This forum is an important step in helping local business and community leaders understand the Queensland Government’s programs, and to identify new opportunities and initiatives for local job creation.

“Today’s forum will provide local businesses an opportunity to inform and shape future employment policies and initiatives.

“We are committed to working with regions to achieve better employment outcomes.

“We will continue to listen and provide opportunities for Queensland businesses to tell us what they need to support more Queenslanders getting jobs.”

Mr Pitt said that more than 34,500 new jobs had been created in Queensland since the State Election in January – eight consecutive months of rises in employment.

“We realise we’ve got more work to do and this forum is part of a state-wide series of forums designed to give business and community leaders groups the opportunity to work with us to create even more jobs,” he said.

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the employment forum was a welcome opportunity for the local business community to talk directly to the Treasurer about their ideas.

“Building strong relationships between businesses and the government will mean more and better opportunities for Bundaberg to reach its potential,” Ms Donaldson said.

“That’s why we’re committed to supporting the Bundaberg Gas Pipeline with an extra $8 million and why we’re investigating establishing a state development area at the port of Bundaberg.

“We want to create more opportunities for the Wide Bay economy to grow.”

The next forums will be held in Rockhampton on Thursday 22 October, and Cairns on Friday 13 November.

Jobs now, jobs for the future

The $1.6 billion Working for Queensland package includes:

• Skilling Queenslanders for Work – $240 million over for years to support 32,000 Queenslanders back into employment
• Rescuing TAFE – $34 million over four years to restore TAFE Queensland as the premier provider of vocational education and training in Queensland
• $45 million in payroll tax rebates for employers taking on apprentices and trainees
• $180 million Advance Queensland program to develop the jobs of tomorrow, including $40 million Business Development Fund to invest in joint ventures with start-up firms wanting to turn their bright ideas into new products and create jobs
• $200 million Building our Regions – investing in regional economies and local jobs

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