Palaszczuk Government’s big building boost to rebuild QBuild

• Publicly owned QBuild gets green light to double to 1,000 tradies by 2026
• Plans to increase this further to 1,500 by 2029
• Program will grow apprenticeship numbers, creating new skilled labour for state’s building industry

Joining hundreds of workers for the Labour Day march in Brisbane, the Premier has today announced that her government would more than double its own trades-based workers - growing QBuild to 1,000 tradies and apprentices in the next few years.

With more tradies on hand, the government can build more housing, more quickly as part of the largest concentrated investment in social and government employee housing in Queensland’s history.

The rebuilt QBuild will also support Queensland’s construction sector in building government infrastructure projects in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.

QBuild staff are also among the first responders to natural disasters, helping to repair key infrastructure such as schools and social housing so communities can get back on their feet as soon as possible.

Rebuild QBuild is an initiative announced in 2019 to strengthen QBuild and restore its capacity after over 1,600 jobs were slashed under the former LNP government.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“QBuild is more than 160 years old - and we are proud to outline our clear plan for QBuild’s future and boost the capability of its frontline.

“Our government is growing QBuild to 1,000 trade and apprentice positions by 2026 – with plans to further increase the ranks to 1,500 by 2029.

“It is the strength and skill of our workforce that will build the schools and homes of the future and inspire the next generation of apprentices to do the same.”

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Cameron Dick:

“A decade after the LNP ruined careers and families by sacking over 1,600 staff, the Palaszczuk Government is rebuilding the mighty QBuild.

“Our progressive growth plan supports QBuild’s modern methods of construction facility at Eagle Farm and the new factory planned for Cairns, which plan to significantly scale up production to help ease pressure on regional and remote rental markets.

“We’ve timed this new phase of QBuild’s growth to provide an optimal response to market pressures and government needs."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Public Works Mick de Brenni:

“QBuild tradies and apprentices will be out there in our communities, in every region, from Thursday Island to Townsville, Bundaberg to Brisbane, and everywhere in between.

“The Rebuild QBuild program is a partnership with Queensland trade unions to ensure government returns an all important income capacity to deliver its critical projects and be able to respond to, and meet challenges in the industry.

“When a tradie joins the QBuild team, they’re not just constructing buildings, they’re literally building the State.”

Further information on Rebuilding QBuild:

• Phase 1 of Rebuilding QBuild – announced in August 2019 – involved employing 300 skilled tradespeople, including 60 apprentices, over three years. It also reinvigorated QBuild’s regional depots in Rockhampton, Cairns, Bundaberg and Caboolture.
• Phase 2 maps out how, by 2026, Rebuilding QBuild will have boosted the trades-based workforce to 1000 people, including 200 apprentices.
• Phase 2 also supports manufacturing of modern homes at QBuild’s Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeships Centre at Eagle Farm and the proposed new RAAC facility in Cairns.

The Palaszczuk Government is backing in the rebuild of QBuild with a $95 million investment including recruitment, upgrades to depots, and investments in Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centres.

ENDS

Media contact:

Elise Williams (Minister de Brenni’s office) - 0482 503 675