Queensland State Election Results – What this Means for Jobs

With the Queensland Elections now over and the Labor party set to resume where they left off, what does this mean for Queenslanders and most importantly for jobs growth?

Paul Miles, Managing Director for The BUSY Group of which BUSY Ability is a part of and who provide a range of skills and employment programs including Disability Employment Services and Australian Apprenticeship Support services stated “We’re excited for the next chapter of Queensland’s recovery and welcome the investment in education and infrastructure that will create jobs for Queenslanders, particularly in the construction, health and education sectors as well as the investment in manufacturing and small business growth.”

The Palusczcuk Government’s promises relating to the labour market and jobs growth include:

• Continued tax relief for small to medium sized businesses and an additional $249 million from existing funding for COVID-19 recovery strategy. This includes continuing to exempt JobKeeper subsidy payments from payroll tax;
• $1 billion investment for the Backing Queensland Business strategy which will back small to medium businesses which show strong economic and jobs growth promise both domestically and in export markets, as well as grants to assist regional exporters to develop new markets ;
• $880 million investment to support up to 17,800 jobs across the state. Partnering with local councils the job-creating commitment includes a $600 million investment in Works for Queensland and a South East Queensland Community Stimulus Package as well as another $280 million for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.
• $600 million for 20 new Queensland trains and the infrastructure needed to build them in Maryborough, supporting 690 new jobs;
• $6.1 million invested over the next four years to boost Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit and employment of eight additional frontline inspectors to ensure compliance with labour hire licensing laws and stop wage theft.
• An expected hire of 9,475 frontline health staff in Queensland including 5,800 nurses, 1,500 doctors, 475 paramedics and 1,700 health professionals over the next four years as a result of expansion to Queensland hospitals.
• Under the Making it in Queensland strategy, $40 million to establish two new regional manufacturing hubs and an investment in manufacturing skills training. There will also be targeted grants to manufacturing businesses available.

Further, for the skills and education sector, the Paluszczuk Government has promised:

• Free TAFE and free apprenticeships extended to under 25 year olds (previously this was under 21). The $21 million plan will allow a further 37,000 young people to get vocational training for free and will apply to 165 priority qualification areas including health services, hospitality, engineering, aged and disability support and early childhood education.
• More than 6,100 new teachers and 1,100 new teacher aides to be employed under the Great Teachers, Great Future program which will see Queensland keep pace with expected enrolment growth of an extra 8000 students each year.
• $45 million to upgrade and build industry linked training facilities and trade training centres at 26 schools across Queensland, with a focus on the regions.
• Supporting local tradies with $1 billion blitz to modernise Queensland schools.
• $100 million into TAFE facilities under its Equipping TAFE for Our Future Plan, providing new, modern facilities to skill Queenslanders in both existing industries and industries of the future.

In summary, under the Palaszczuk Labor Government, the jobs opportunities will be in industries that include:

• Construction
• Health Care
• Education
• Manufacturing

And with a skills future focus to build industries for:

• Cyber security and IT
• Robotics
• Hydrogen and resources
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture; and
• Nursing and Allied Health.

Paul Miles further stated “We welcome the investment in jobs and skills growth that the Paluszczuk Government has committed to. The BUSY Group is committed to our mission of getting more Queenslanders into work and the response to recovery for Queensland will stimulate industry and employment in many sectors”.

“Currently, we have hundreds of apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities available in a range of sectors and believe both the State and Federal response to COVID-19 has been effective in supporting our recovery”.

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, The BUSY Group

0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au