Securing and protecting jobs for Queenslanders

November 09, 2017

A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will make a $150 million commitment to protect existing jobs and create new jobs in Queensland’s $20 billion manufacturing sector and further investment in the regions.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, in Maryborough today at the launch of Queensland Made - Labor’s Plan to Protect and Create Manufacturing Jobs, said she wanted to see more and more products Queensland made because that meant more jobs for Queenslanders.

“I am committed to creating new frontiers for Queensland’s economy while working to protect our existing strengths in manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and mining,’’ the Premier said.

With the Premier was Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad and Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham.

“This is about my government continuing to right the wrongs of a Newman-Nicholls Government that left the manufacturing sector in crisis,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We will build on the success of programs such as the Jobs and Regionals Growth Fund, Building our Regions, Made in Queensland, and the Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund.

“We will establish manufacturing hubs in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton to drive regional economies and deliver funds towards defence supply chain logistics hubs in Townville and Ipswich.

“We will appoint a dedicated Minister for Manufacturing to engage with and support the industry.’’

Ms Trad said jobs would be secured and added where Queensland had the capacity to manufacture and maintain.

“All future rail rollingstock and associated infrastructure for which we have the  manufacturing capacity here in Queensland will be manufactured and maintained by Queenslanders to support jobs in Maryborough and other regional centres,’’ Ms Trad said.

“Construction of trains were outsourced to India and jobs were lost as a result of Nicholls’ callousness.  We are continuing to ensure that Queenslanders are put first.’’

Labor’s commitment to manufacturing includes:

• $70 million of funding for Building our Regions Round 4 to deliver critical infrastructure for the regions as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $1 billion infrastructure injection for the regions.
• An additional $20 million to the Made in Queensland grants program to support our manufacturing businesses to become more internationally competitive and create additional jobs.
• An additional $20 million to the Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund with a broadened focus on companies moving manufacturing activities to Queensland.
• Up to $30 million to establishing manufacturing hubs to drive regional economies, initially in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton.
• Continuing the Buy Queensland procurement policy to ensure local manufacturers have the best opportunity to win government procurement contracts worth more than $14 billion a year.
• Guaranteeing all future rail rollingstock and associated infrastructure for which Queensland has the manufacturing capacity, will be manufactured and maintained by Queenslanders to support jobs in Maryborough and other regional centres.
• Establishing Defence Jobs Queensland as a dedicated agency that will build on Queensland’s strengths and drive the creation of defence-related jobs.
• Delivering up to $10 million towards defence supply chain logistics hubs in Townsville and Ipswich.
• Expanding placements and increase industry collaboration under the manufacturing and engineering Gateway to Industry schools program.
• Implementing a comprehensive strategy to protect jobs in the meatworks industry and upskill the workforce through the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund and Regional Skills Investment Strategy
• Assisting workers to develop new skills to find secure employment in the manufacturing sector through the Queensland Workers Transition Scheme and Regional Skills Adjustment Strategy
• Unlocking additional gas tenements exclusively for the domestic market, in addition to the more than 450 square kilometres of gas tenements set aside to address the national gas shortage
• Continuing the $200 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund package to deliver jobs and economic development to our regions.

Dr Lynham said the Building our Regions and Made in Queensland programs were a proven success.

“Manufacturing has grown by 3000 jobs and now employs almost 170,000 people.

“Building our Regions alone has delivered 1700 jobs,’’ Dr Lynham said.

“Only a Palaszczuk Government will work to ensure jobs for Queenslanders.’’