OPPORTUNITIES for job creation were the focus when the State Government’s Working Queensland Cabinet Committee met in Ipswich on Monday.
Acting Premier and Treasurer Curtis Pitt chaired the meeting which followed significant job losses at two meat processing plants in Ipswich in recent weeks.
Mr Pitt said he was pleased with progress in the Ipswich region in recent months and hoped the government could provide a further boost.
“Today we will be taking a look at potential new projects for job-creation in the area as well as assessing whether workers may require additional skills for alternative forms of employment,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Queensland Government is committed to doing everything we can to help connect people with job opportunities in the region.
“We will be listening to locals and hearing their ideas for new job opportunities as well as examining how the government’s range of job-creation programs can assist.”
Initiatives reaping results
“Our initiatives such as the $240 million Skilling Queenslanders for Work which funds training and support for unemployed people has already seen almost 900 people in the Ipswich region secure jobs,” Mr Pitt said.
“In addition, since 1 July this year, our Back to Work Youth Boost program — initially for regional communities — has been widened to be available in South East Queensland.
“Back to Work provides direct support of up to $20,000 to employers hiring unemployed jobseekers.
“The program has already created more than 7,000 jobs across the state since July 2016 and I urge Ipswich region employers to take advantage of the support payments it offers for hiring unemployed jobseekers.
“Through our economic plan we have created 115,400 net new jobs since the January 2015 state election and we remain focussed on job-creation in Ipswich and across the state.”
Local unemployment headed in right direction
Mr Pitt said it was encouraging to see that the unemployment rate in Ipswich had fallen since the state election.
“ABS figures show the unemployment rate for the Ipswich region was 8.1% in August compared with 8.6% at the last election,” he said.
“Since the January 2015 election the youth unemployment rate for the Ipswich region has fallen from 17.6% at the last election to 13.0% in August 2017.
“Since the last election a net 9,700 new jobs have been created in the Ipswich region, 7,200 of which were filled by 15-24 year olds.
Post-meeting comments
After the meeting, Mr Pitt, flanked by the Mayor and MPs, acknowledged Cr Antoniolli’s election victory and the “challenging period” he and Council were going through.
“But based on today’s meeting I am sure he would agree with me that there are a lot of great opportunities for Ipswich,” the Acting Premier said.
Mr Pitt said the two hour meeting had also dealt with the “acute issue” of the loss of jobs through the meatworks’ closures.
He said it was important he listened to local employer, employee and business groups and, as the meeting had been directed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was currently on holiday, he would report back to her as soon as possible.
“There are both challenges and opportunities in Ipswich on the job front,” Mr Pitt said.
One of the key targets would be trying to reduce youth unemployment further.
