Working Queensland Cabinet Committee meeting called to focus on jobs

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called a Working Queensland Cabinet Committee to focus on jobs through major new projects and the Government’s job-generating programs.

The Premier said the Cabinet Committee, which had met throughout Queensland prior to the State Budget in June, would reconvene in Brisbane on 18 November ahead of the release Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Review.

“This is the opportunity to stocktake on all the major projects and our job-generating programs,” the Premier said.

“More than 40,000 jobs have been created since the last election.  My Government is determined to create more jobs and more opportunities for Queenslanders.”

“My Ministers are working across their portfolios and across the State to drive jobs.”

Prior to the Budget in June, the Working Queensland Cabinet Committee met in Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa, Charters Towers, Mackay, Rockhampton, Maryborough and Toowoomba and a full Cabinet meeting was held in Gladstone. 

“Those meetings informed our Budget with key initiatives to drive jobs in regional Queensland,” the Premier said.

The Premier said the Cabinet meeting on November 18 would be briefed on updates to key major projects, such as the $21 billion Carmichael Coal project, $3 billion Queens Wharf project and the multi-billion Star Entertainment Group’s Jupiters development, the North Queensland Stadium in Townsville as well as projects under the Government $40 billion four-year capital works program and Market Led Proposals initiative.

Other key Government initiatives to be discussed include:

• State Infrastructure Plan announced in March and the associated $2 billion State Infrastructure Fund including the Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program;
• $240 million Skilling Queenslanders for Work restored after it was cut by the former LNP Government;
• $100 million two-year Back to Work program announced with the Budget; and
• $20,000 First Home Owners Grant launched with the Budget.

“The LNP Government sacked Queenslanders, we are backing Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“The LNP drove Queensland’s unemployment up to 6.6%.  Queensland’s unemployment rate is currently 6.1% and we are determined to drive it lower.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791