Rapid Response Team assisting workers in Weipa
Published Friday, 13 February, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
The Queensland Government’s Rapid Response Team will visit Weipa next week to hold discussions with local companies and retrenched workers.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the decision to send the team to Weipa follows the announcement by Rio Tinto that some of its contractor workforce will be replaced by permanent employees.
“In some cases, contractor staff numbers have been reduced by 50 per cent,” Ms Boyle said.
"Unfortunately Weipa is not immune to the effects of the global economic crisis but this Government is determined to protect Queenslanders' jobs wherever possible.
“The rapid response team will be in Weipa on the 19th and 20th of February to meet with business operators affected by the economic downturn who are having to retrench staff.
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said the Team will provide important information to local employers for assistance to retrenched workers. The assistance includes helping workers identify their full skill set so they can explore job opportunities in other industries.
“Weipa Employers can contact the Cairns-based Rapid Response Team on 4048 1111 to make an appointment.”
Since the beginning of January, the Rapid Response Team had been deployed to Emerald, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mt Isa, Cairns and the Gold Coast.
Ms Boyle urged any local workers and families affected by the economic downturn to call the Queensland Government’s Workers Assistance Hotline on 1800 035 749.
“So far more than 400 people have rung the hotline, including 45 from the Cairns region, and more than 200 have registered for further assistance and advice to help them find another job.
“The majority are men, many of whom are over 40 years of age and the Rapid Response Team is working hard to identify industries where there is a demand for skilled workers.”
"Our priority is getting retrenched workers back into the workforce as soon as possible.
"That is why the Government is committed to keeping the motor running in the economy by pressing ahead with our $17 billion capital works plan for 2009.”
The Rapid Response Team is located in Cairns at the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Regional Centre, Cairns Port Authority Building, Cnr of Grafton and Hartley Sts, Cairns QLD 4870. Telephone 4048 1111 to make an appointment.
13 February 2009
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the decision to send the team to Weipa follows the announcement by Rio Tinto that some of its contractor workforce will be replaced by permanent employees.
“In some cases, contractor staff numbers have been reduced by 50 per cent,” Ms Boyle said.
"Unfortunately Weipa is not immune to the effects of the global economic crisis but this Government is determined to protect Queenslanders' jobs wherever possible.
“The rapid response team will be in Weipa on the 19th and 20th of February to meet with business operators affected by the economic downturn who are having to retrench staff.
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said the Team will provide important information to local employers for assistance to retrenched workers. The assistance includes helping workers identify their full skill set so they can explore job opportunities in other industries.
“Weipa Employers can contact the Cairns-based Rapid Response Team on 4048 1111 to make an appointment.”
Since the beginning of January, the Rapid Response Team had been deployed to Emerald, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mt Isa, Cairns and the Gold Coast.
Ms Boyle urged any local workers and families affected by the economic downturn to call the Queensland Government’s Workers Assistance Hotline on 1800 035 749.
“So far more than 400 people have rung the hotline, including 45 from the Cairns region, and more than 200 have registered for further assistance and advice to help them find another job.
“The majority are men, many of whom are over 40 years of age and the Rapid Response Team is working hard to identify industries where there is a demand for skilled workers.”
"Our priority is getting retrenched workers back into the workforce as soon as possible.
"That is why the Government is committed to keeping the motor running in the economy by pressing ahead with our $17 billion capital works plan for 2009.”
The Rapid Response Team is located in Cairns at the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Regional Centre, Cairns Port Authority Building, Cnr of Grafton and Hartley Sts, Cairns QLD 4870. Telephone 4048 1111 to make an appointment.
13 February 2009
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005