More than 200 meatworks staff to be hired

More than 200 workers will immediately benefit from the Palaszczuk Government’s assistance for major meat processors and exporters to support the hiring of former workers from the Churchill abattoir shutdown earlier this month and related shutdowns.

This assistance forms part of the Palaszczuk Government’s broader support for the industry.

The Government is committed to delivering support for workers impacted in the meatworks industry including skills support and employment assistance.

Approximately 290 people were made redundant following the Churchill abattoir closure and related shutdowns in the Ipswich region last month, with more expected next year when Woolworths closes its boning facility and Steggles shuts a processing plant.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Government, through its Jobs and Regional Growth Fund, has offered assistance for every full-time equivalent (FTE) position offered by JBS Australia.

“My Government is determined to help Queenslanders get back to work and I am pleased that through our Jobs and Regional Growth Fund, we are able to help workers displaced by the closure of the Churchill abattoir into employment at JBS at Wacol and Dinmore,” the Premier said.

"Our offer of assistance is an important contribution to the costs for JBS of recruiting and training staff.

“JBS has confirmed it can immediately offer 186 jobs with this assistance, with the potential to provide an additional 214 jobs over the next 12 months.”

The Premier said her Government was dedicated to create jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders.

“After the cutting and sacking by LNP Government and Tim Nicholls, my Government has restored opportunity and reinforced the belief in government of dignity in work,” she said.

“Since the 2015 election, 115,400 new jobs have been created in Queensland.”

“We have restored the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program – cut by the LNP – to ensure Queenslanders have the skills to be ready to work.

“To date, the Government has invested $173 million to help more than 10,000 people across Queensland have secured a job through this initiative.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Government’s support for JBS through the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund underlines the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to backing jobs and growing regional economies.

“JBS is Australia’s largest meat and food processor employing over 5,500 people in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“I met with representatives from JBS when I convened a Working Queensland Cabinet Committee in Ipswich last month at the request of the Premier to discuss local employment. Today’s announcement is proof that we are a Government that listens to locals and assists communities through job-creating programs.”

Employment Minister Grace Grace said there was no better example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to jobs than its $177.5 million Back to Work jobs package.

“Back to Work is putting thousands of Queenslanders into jobs throughout the State,” Ms Grace said.

“It’s already supporting more than 7,500 jobs and there are hundreds more applications being processed.

“With support payments of up to $20,000 available to eligible employers, it’s providing the perfect incentive to help businesses hire while injecting valuable dollars into local economies.”

The Premier said her Government had restored frontline services for Queenslanders, particularly in Queensland’s hospitals and schools.  These are the same frontline positions that Tim Nicholls slashed by 14,000 in his first Budget five years ago.

The funding is provided through the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund, which the Government established in December last year.

The Premier said the LNP has not supported the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund to attract and support businesses and create jobs.

Former Churchill employees can contact DSD on 07 3432 2412 or seqwest@dsd.qld.gov.au for further information.

Media Contact:

Premier’s Office:                   Geoff Breusch           0417 272 875

Treasurer’s Office:               Amy Hunter               0437 961 831

Minister Grace’s Office:       Martin Philip              0427 919 548