North Queensland employers urged to help jobseekers get Back to Work

North Queensland employers are receiving a helping hand to create jobs in regional Queensland through the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Back to Work program.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Employment Minister Grace Grace, Mundingburra MP and Minister Coralee O’Rourke, Townsville MP Scott Stewart and Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper today met with Townsville apprentices and employers who could benefit from the Back to Work regional jobs program, which encourages businesses to hire an unemployed person and put themselves in line for State Governments payments of up to $15,000 per worker.

“The number one focus of my government is on delivering more jobs, particularly in regional Queensland,” The Premier said.

“That’s why our latest State Budget includes $100 million for a Back to Work regional jobs package that specifically targets jobseekers and employers outside the southeast corner.

“It aims to support up to 8,000 jobs in regional Queensland and includes payments of $10,000 for employers who hire an unemployed worker, rising to $15,000 for the long-term unemployed.

“Back to Work has been welcomed by Queensland’s peak industry group the CCIQ, along with employers across Queensland.

“I want to encourage regional employers to take advantage of this scheme and the significant payments available for taking on an unemployed person.”

Minister Grace said the Back to Work program was better funded and better targeted than the LNP’s alternative.

“The LNP’s jobs plan is little more than a cruel hoax,” she said. “20,000 vouchers is not 20,000 jobs.

“Apprentices need tools at the start of their apprenticeship and while they’re working – not at the end of an apprenticeship.

“Employers can access our Back to Work payments within four weeks, as opposed to four years under the LNP proposal.

“The LNP proposal is also confined to businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million, whereas our program applies to all regional employers.

“Our scheme also has a dedicated regional focus, whereas the LNP have thrown theirs open to businesses in Brisbane and the southeast.”

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