Smart State sells itself to skilled southerners
Published Friday, 05 October, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Sydney: The three-day Queensland on Show, Work & Play Expo has kicked off in Sydney today to lure skilled workers to the Smart State.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the Expo at the Sydney Showgrounds featured presentations and exhibitions by government, business and recruitment firms from throughout the Smart State.
“It showcases the benefits of living, working and playing in Queensland, and provides information for anyone considering relocating,” said Ms Bligh.
She said the three-day recruitment initiative was about addressing Queensland’s shortage of skilled labour – the result of a booming economy and record spending on infrastructure by the Government and the private sector.
“We offer a wealth of opportunities for workers across a range of industries,” she said.
“Employment opportunities abound particularly in health, education, IT, mining, engineering, construction and manufacturing, as well as tourism, hospitality and general trades.
“Jobs are also plentiful thanks to the billions of dollars of infrastructure and major projects under construction or in the works.”
Ms Bligh said good careers in key industries were available from Cairns through to Coolangatta.
Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle, who opened the expo for Ms Bligh today, said more than 50,000 people left New South Wales for Queensland last year.
“That’s around half of all the people who moved out of New South Wales in 2006,” she said.
The Premier Ms Bligh will visit the Expo tomorrow (10am).
“The Queensland on Show, Work and Play Expos are about keeping Queensland top of mind when people are looking at making changes in their lives, especially with jobs,” said Ms Bligh.
“Our unemployment is around 3.5% and in the year to May 2007 we created 104,300 jobs. That’s 37% of Australia’s jobs total and we’ve got just 20% of the population.” said Ms Bligh.
Ms Boyle said Queensland’s enviable lifestyle was also a major drawcard for people migrating north.
“We’ve got reefs, rainforests and tourism experiences from coast to Outback,” she said. “Our low-cost of living and tropical climate are also attracting people in droves.
“Each Queensland region’s unique strengths and opportunities have been specifically earmarked for development under the Queensland Government’s Centre of Enterprise initiative,” she said.
“Queensland on Show, Work & Play will make more people from down south see the light and move to Queensland,” said Ms Boyle.
For more information about Queensland on Show, Work and Play visit: http://www.queenslandonshow.com.au/
Media contact:
Minister’s Office: 07 3224 2005
Premier’s Office Steve Keating 0408 720 081
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the Expo at the Sydney Showgrounds featured presentations and exhibitions by government, business and recruitment firms from throughout the Smart State.
“It showcases the benefits of living, working and playing in Queensland, and provides information for anyone considering relocating,” said Ms Bligh.
She said the three-day recruitment initiative was about addressing Queensland’s shortage of skilled labour – the result of a booming economy and record spending on infrastructure by the Government and the private sector.
“We offer a wealth of opportunities for workers across a range of industries,” she said.
“Employment opportunities abound particularly in health, education, IT, mining, engineering, construction and manufacturing, as well as tourism, hospitality and general trades.
“Jobs are also plentiful thanks to the billions of dollars of infrastructure and major projects under construction or in the works.”
Ms Bligh said good careers in key industries were available from Cairns through to Coolangatta.
Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle, who opened the expo for Ms Bligh today, said more than 50,000 people left New South Wales for Queensland last year.
“That’s around half of all the people who moved out of New South Wales in 2006,” she said.
The Premier Ms Bligh will visit the Expo tomorrow (10am).
“The Queensland on Show, Work and Play Expos are about keeping Queensland top of mind when people are looking at making changes in their lives, especially with jobs,” said Ms Bligh.
“Our unemployment is around 3.5% and in the year to May 2007 we created 104,300 jobs. That’s 37% of Australia’s jobs total and we’ve got just 20% of the population.” said Ms Bligh.
Ms Boyle said Queensland’s enviable lifestyle was also a major drawcard for people migrating north.
“We’ve got reefs, rainforests and tourism experiences from coast to Outback,” she said. “Our low-cost of living and tropical climate are also attracting people in droves.
“Each Queensland region’s unique strengths and opportunities have been specifically earmarked for development under the Queensland Government’s Centre of Enterprise initiative,” she said.
“Queensland on Show, Work & Play will make more people from down south see the light and move to Queensland,” said Ms Boyle.
For more information about Queensland on Show, Work and Play visit: http://www.queenslandonshow.com.au/
Media contact:
Minister’s Office: 07 3224 2005
Premier’s Office Steve Keating 0408 720 081