Manufacturing program to be slashed under a Frecklington LNP government

The Palaszczuk Government’s successful $46 million Made in Queensland funding program for the state’s manufacturing sector would be cut by more than half under an LNP government.

The plan to reduce manufacturing funding in Queensland by $26 million was outlined in LNP leader Deb Frecklington’s budget reply speech, handed down in parliament today.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said this was once again proof the LNP’s only plan for Queensland was to cut funding, sack workers and sell assets.

“The LNP’s $20 million Built in Queensland manufacturing plan is nothing more than a glorified marketing campaign,” Mr Dick said.

“Instead of investing tens of millions directly into Queensland manufacturing businesses, the LNP want to take away this funding and use it to produce promotional materials.

“How is this going to provide immediate help to the Mareeba steel fabricator or the Maryborough timber manufacturer?

“Our funding allows manufacturing businesses to purchase new equipment and improve processes. To upskill, employ and export. The LNP want to strip all this away.

“The LNP ripped $30 million from industry support grants and business development initiatives between 2012 and 2015. Deb Frecklington and Campbell Newman thought this was a great plan,” he said.

“Time and time again, the LNP prove they can’t be trusted to protect Queensland jobs. Destroying our manufacturing sector would just be another chapter in their book.”

Through the first two rounds of Made in Queensland, the Palaszczuk Government has already committed $35.8 million to the state’s manufacturing sector, supporting 78 projects.

These projects will create an estimated 1000 new direct, high-skill jobs over five years, with 40 per cent of these projects being delivered in regional Queensland.

“When it comes to manufacturing growth and job numbers in Queensland, the LNP’s falsehoods hold no weight,” Mr Dick said.

“The sector is growing and creating more jobs under Labor, with the Queensland Government Statistician noting a year-on-year growth rate of 5.3 per cent, compared to 3.2 per cent nationally during the past 12 months.

“Queensland’s manufacturing sector is worth $20 billion annually to our economy and provides work to approximately 173,400 people.

"A strong manufacturing sector means more Queensland jobs, and more jobs means a stronger Queensland.”

Since January 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has created more than 207,000 jobs in Queensland.

The $46 million Made in Queensland initiative complements the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

To learn more, visit the Made in Queensland webpage.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561