Premier convenes Townsville regional jobs security summit

Premier Anna Bligh has convened a regional jobs security summit, with a team compiled by Townsville’s peak economic development body, to steer the region through the economic crisis.

Member for Thuringowa and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland, Craig Wallace put forward the proposal for the urgent summit, amid concern from North Queensland workers over the rising number of job losses in the region.

Premier Bligh said the meeting would take place during the community cabinet in Townsville which starts next week.

“I will meet with a team of local industry and business people to get expert local advice on the effects of the global financial crisis in the region,” she said.

“Townsville Enterprise Limited is the peak economic development and destination marketing organisation for North Queensland.

“I have asked them to arrange the summit and bring together the best minds in the region so we can find ways to provide certainty and project jobs.”

The team will include representatives from the tourism, mining and other local industries.

Mr Wallace said the group would look at ways to protect local jobs.

“The reality of the Global Economic Crisis has hit home for people in North Queensland, with huge job losses announced in the mining industry and as a result of the collapse of Storm Financial.

“This is the moment when government, business and community must band together in a united front – to secure jobs in our region.

“The Bligh Government will be there every step of the way until we recover job losses and pull through these hard times.”

Mr Wallace said the Bligh Government has a record of creating and securing jobs for Queenslanders, and delivering low unemployment.

“During these challenging times, the community needs strong leadership from an experienced team.

“We are continuing to fight to secure jobs for Queenslanders, and this summit will ensure we have the best and brightest helping us to deliver for the community.”

Townsville Enterprise Limited Chairman John Bearne said they would invite a broad cross section of the community to the summit with the Premier.

“We hope that our cooperative approach can help the region move forward in the current economic climate,” he said.

Contact: (07) 389 63689 – 23 January 2009