Springborg slugs apprentices three per cent or shows them the door?

Queensland’s unique QBuild apprentice training program would suffer if a three per cent cut was applied to the organisation or if Lawrence Springborg followed through on the National Party’s long-held vow to privatise the government builder.

Minister for Public Works Robert Schwarten said either way it was a no-win situation for young people who were looking for an apprenticeship.

“QBuild has always been on the National Party’s privatisation list and I call on the shadow spokesman Ray Stevens to rule it out,” Mr Schwarten said.

“QBuild is fundamental to the roll out of the State’s maintenance program and 15,000 private contractors depend on it for work not to mention the 367 apprentices who rely it on to become trained tradespeople.”

Mr Schwarten said a three per cent cut would mean QBuild would shed staff.

“The only way Lawrence Springborg can take a three per cent out of QBuild is to shed staff and that means apprentices too.

“By cutting QBuild jobs, regional Queensland would be hardest hit.

“QBuild has offices and depots scattered all over the State. The fact is in places like Innisfail, Roma, Mackay, Bundaberg, Thursday Island or Rockhampton it is not just the directly employed QBuild workers who will miss out.

“There’s a significant number of contractors and businesses like hardware shops which will also miss out,” he said.

Mr Schwarten has called on the shadow spokesman to show some leadership on this issue.

“We’ve heard nothing from Ray Stevens on this or any other portfolio related issue as he’s been silenced by his leader, but it is he who wants to be Public Works Minister and he owes it to the people who depend on QBuild for a living and the services they provide to come clean on his intentions.

“Where will he makes the cuts to find three per cent to satisfy his leader’s quest to take $1 billion annually out of the State budget to pay for his uncosted, unfunded, politically motivated promises,” Mr Schwarten asked.

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