Published Thursday, 02 August, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
DEDICATED OFFICER FUNDED FOR DROUGHT RELIEF EFFORT
A further $115,500 of Skilling Queenslanders for Work funding has been awarded to the Queensland Farmers Federation to employ a full-time drought coordinator.
Acting Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Desley Boyle said it was the third consecutive year the appointment had been made under the Drought Relief Initiative project and would continue to bolster rural drought relief efforts.
“Queensland is still in the grip of one of the worst droughts on record,” Ms Boyle said.
“This project shows the Queensland Government’s ongoing commitment to providing effective relief for Queensland’s rural communities and primary producers.
“The drought coordinator will act as a conduit of communication between Government and the community to ensure assistance is provided wherever possible, while Government remains up to date on community needs and concerns.”
Queensland Farmers Federation Chief Executive Officer John Cherry said the funding would allow the Federation to increase activities aimed at easing Queensland’s drought burden.
“The Queensland Government’s continued funding means rural communities have full access to vital drought relief information support,” Mr Cherry said.
“There will be a particular focus on getting Government assistance to farmers suffering extreme stress and unmanageable debt.
“The drought coordinator will be on the ground meeting with these people and then able to deal with local industry bodies and support services to provide whatever is needed for them to cope with the drought.
“The officer will also work with employers and policy makers to devise cost-effective solutions to retaining rural jobs that might otherwise have been lost.”
The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations and the former Department of Employment and Training have committed more than $1,155,000 to drought relief projects since 2003.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work and its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle iniatiative have helped create more than 124,000 jobs across Queensland since 1998.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s
$1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Queensland Farmers Federation John Cherry on 3837 4747 or at john@qff.org.au
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
August 2, 2007
Acting Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Desley Boyle said it was the third consecutive year the appointment had been made under the Drought Relief Initiative project and would continue to bolster rural drought relief efforts.
“Queensland is still in the grip of one of the worst droughts on record,” Ms Boyle said.
“This project shows the Queensland Government’s ongoing commitment to providing effective relief for Queensland’s rural communities and primary producers.
“The drought coordinator will act as a conduit of communication between Government and the community to ensure assistance is provided wherever possible, while Government remains up to date on community needs and concerns.”
Queensland Farmers Federation Chief Executive Officer John Cherry said the funding would allow the Federation to increase activities aimed at easing Queensland’s drought burden.
“The Queensland Government’s continued funding means rural communities have full access to vital drought relief information support,” Mr Cherry said.
“There will be a particular focus on getting Government assistance to farmers suffering extreme stress and unmanageable debt.
“The drought coordinator will be on the ground meeting with these people and then able to deal with local industry bodies and support services to provide whatever is needed for them to cope with the drought.
“The officer will also work with employers and policy makers to devise cost-effective solutions to retaining rural jobs that might otherwise have been lost.”
The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations and the former Department of Employment and Training have committed more than $1,155,000 to drought relief projects since 2003.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work and its predecessor Breaking the Unemployment Cycle iniatiative have helped create more than 124,000 jobs across Queensland since 1998.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s
$1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Queensland Farmers Federation John Cherry on 3837 4747 or at john@qff.org.au
Media Contacts: Chris Brown on 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion on 3224 6784
August 2, 2007