Premier to work side by side with industry

Published Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 at 03:48 PM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new Labor Government would work closely with industry and business in order to create jobs and grow the economy.

Addressing around 60 industry leaders at Parliament House today, Ms Palaszczuk committed to leading a government of consensus in the best interests of Queensland.

“As we did in Opposition, my Government will consult with all stakeholders and listen to their views and concerns,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We need to work together to restore confidence in the economy, because when employers are confident, then more jobs are created and more money invested in our state.

“Today was a wonderful opportunity to meet face to face with many leaders of industry peak bodies and kick off that dialogue.

“Be they large or small businesses, the private sector needs to drive jobs growth and I want to help them do that.

“We all share the belief that with more jobs, and more secure jobs, comes a more resilient economy and more prosperous future.”

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said it was no secret that Queensland was facing economic challenges, with significant pressures caused by low coal and oil prices.

“We all need to instill confidence in the community, and tout Queensland’s long-term investment opportunities both at home and abroad. And that process begins immediately,” Mr Pitt said.

“By contrast, after the former Government was elected, they began the process of sacking 24,000 workers, and making ridiculous comments about Queensland’s economy, which destroyed confidence in this state.

“We remain optimistic about Queensland’s economic fundamentals, and we want to work with business to ensure we reach our potential.

“We want to see a strong, diverse economy that can withstand external shocks and provide continued jobs growth into the future.”

The Premier and Treasurer said Labor took a comprehensive suite of jobs and business policies to the election, including:

  • Payroll Tax Rebates for employers hiring apprentices and trainees.
  • $200 million for the Building our Regions fund to deliver vitally needed infrastructure in regional areas.
  • A $40 million Business Development Fund to turn ideas into commercial realities to create jobs.
  • $50 million for Advance Queensland, to reinvigorate research, science and innovation to help create the well-paid knowledge-based jobs of the future. 
  • $34 million as part of our Rescuing TAFE policy to improve training and to provide skills young people need to find work.
  • A Red Tape Reduction Advisory Council to focus on areas of regulation that are of most concern to business.
  • $240 million for Skilling Queenslanders for Work employment programs to support 32,000 Queenslanders back into jobs.
  • Our Queensland Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow program to support education in computational science and business development and to support stay-at-home parents to develop home-based businesses.
  • $100 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the $6 billion and 60,000 jobs it contributes to the economy.
  • And a commitment that 10% of workers on major government projects are apprentices and trainees, including projects delivered by government-owned corporations

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