Central Queensland employers urged to help jobseekers get Back to Work

Published Thursday, 23 June, 2016 at 12:45 PM

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Grace Grace

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

Employment Minister Grace Grace and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga today visited Marketing Mafia, a local employer which 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 Government payments of up to $15,000 per worker.

“As Employment Minister, my main focus is on getting more Queenslanders into jobs and employment,” she said.

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

“This is a package which aims to support up to 8,000 jobs in regional Queensland and it has already received a very positive reception from regional business owners and peak industry body the CCIQ.

“Eligible employers can receive payments of $10,000 for hiring an unemployed worker, rising to $15,000 for the long-term unemployed.

“I want to encourage Central Queensland business owners who are thinking of hiring to take advantage of our Back to Work program.”

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.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said Central Queensland employers needed assistance to kickstart local job creation.

“The unemployment rate in Central Queensland is too high, particularly youth unemployment, but we now have a positive program to get people back to work,” Ms Lauga said.

“So I welcome this new Back to Work initiative and its focus on supporting more local jobs here in Central Queensland.

“I’m getting very positive feedback from local employers about this program and I know it has also excited a lot of local jobseekers.

“If you’re a Central Queensland employer and you’re thinking of hiring someone, you should be considering this scheme which has the potential to give you a payment of up to $15,000 for hiring someone who is long-term unemployed.”

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548