Palaszczuk Government acts to help OZCON workers

The Palaszczuk Government has moved immediately to support workers and their families affected by the closure of Dalby manufacturer, OZCON.

Acting State Development Minister Bill Byrne said the Department of State Development had coordinated services to be on hand in Dalby today as soon as OZCON told employees of the closure.

“My message to these workers and their families is: you are not alone,” he said.

“Centrelink has local staff providing financial advice, our four local TAFE career counsellors are available and Dalby Lifeline also has local counsellors available, as well as people in Toowoomba staffing their hotline.

“OZCON is a private company that makes its own commercial decisions, but government has a critical role to play in times like these.

“Two DSD staff members from Toowoomba are facilitating today’s employee briefing in Dalby.

“DSD will continue to coordinate support services across all organisations so that employees and their families are being looked after in days and weeks to come.”

A total of 92 employees will lose their jobs today when the pipe and bore casing manufacturing specialist closes the business and its four sites at Dalby, Miles and Moomba.

OZCON has advised government that workers will be paid for work up until today, however they will not receive any further entitlements.

Mr Byrne said OZCON employees may be able to apply for assistance immediately from Centrelink and may be eligible for financial help to cover their entitlements through the Commonwealth Fair Entitlements Guarantee.

Affected employees can contact:

• Centrelink on 132468.
• Dalby Lifeline ON 46883760 and or Toowoomba Lifeline 1300991443.
• for apprentices and trainees, Training Queensland Customer Centre on 1300 369 935.

Media contact: Jan Martin 0439 341 314