Jobs focus to address regional employment

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics released today show unemployment is lower across the majority of Queensland’s regions, with pockets recording increases.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the latest regional labour force data showed that the Logan – Beaudesert area had the largest decrease in unemployment in the state, down 2.7 per cent since the same period last year.

“It is an encouraging sign that a number of regions across Queensland have recorded a fall in their unemployment rate over the past 12 months,” Mr Pitt said.

“Darling Downs–Maranoa had the lowest unemployment rate in the state sitting at 3.6 per cent while the Outback grappled with the highest increase at 9.9 per cent.

“We continue to see improvement in the unemployment rates for the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba in the last 12 months."

Last week’s statewide figures showed a net 40,000 jobs created in just 18 months since January 2015 election, while the LNP oversaw the creation of just 26,900 new jobs in three years.

Mr Pitt said the State Government’s priority remains focussed on creating job opportunities for Queenslanders where finding work can be tough, particularly youths looking for work in regional centres.

“We understand that more needs to be done to address the high levels of youth unemployment in parts of regional Queensland,” he said.

“I’m very pleased to see regions like Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and the Wide Bay have all recorded decreases in youth unemployment but we still have a way to go.

“The Outback and Cairns were the only regional centres which recorded an increase in youth unemployment over the last 12 months, so I was thrilled to meet with the new employees at Cairns tech firm Nexus Labs today.

“The three new employees are all completing their final year of technology studies at James Cook University in Cairns, so Nexus Labs will be able to apply for a $10,000 payment for each of those employees from the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Back to Work program.

“This is exactly what our $100 million Back to Work program was designed to do – give regional businesses the confidence and incentive to take a risk on new ideas and seize new opportunities.

“Our target is to support up to 8,000 jobs in regional Queensland through the program and we’re not stopping there.

“We are now offering a higher incentive to Queensland businesses to employ apprentices and trainees through our Payroll Tax Rebate, offering any employer with apprentices or trainees to now claim a 50 per cent rebate.

“The doubling of the rebate for hiring apprentices and trainees makes Queensland’s payroll tax system even more attractive.”

Other job creation initiatives include a $40 billion four-year infrastructure program with $10.7 billion earmarked for 2016-17 creating an estimated 31,000 jobs. Almost half the 2016-17 infrastructure spending ($4.9 billion) is targeted to regional Queensland. 

For more information about Back to Work, visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Media Contact: 0419 945 546