10,000 Young Australians Off Welfare And Into Work
In just over nine months, 10,000 young people across Australia who were previously reliant on taxpayer-funded welfare are now in gainful employment thanks to the Youth Jobs PaTH program.This great result has been achieved through the Youth Bonus Wage subsidy component of the Youth Jobs PaTH program.And we’ve seen real results under the program in the electorate of Dawson, with 154 young people transitioning from welfare to work since the beginning of the year.We believe that the best form of welfare is a job.
Plan to boost jobs for journos in regions
The Liberal National Government has today announced a number of new measures to support regional and small publishers and create local jobs.The new measures, which are in addition to the Government’s media reform package, and subject to its passage, include:•A $50 million Regional and Small Publishers Innovation fund;•a Regional and Small Publishers cadetship program to support 200 cadetships ($8 million) and;•60 regional journalism scholarships ($2.4 million over three years)
Businesses urged to nominate for Vets’ awards
In the Australian Defence Force (ADF) our personnel work in high-pressure environments and learn skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and the ability to adapt to new technologies.Those talents are in demand in a modern economy and I know businesses in Townsville are employing veterans and using their skills to succeed.I’m encouraging local businesses and local veterans to look at the award categories and nominate so their achievements can be recognised.
Main tender on Mackay Ring Road announced
WE reached a major milestone in the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project today with the announcement that CPB Contractors have won the major tender.This project will remove heavy vehicles from the Mackay CBD and residential areas by providing a bypass for all vehicles without a destination in Mackay.This is a massive project for the region – we’re going to see 13 new bridges being built as part of it - and I believe an average of 534 jobs will be supported during construction of the bypass.We need jobs, jobs, jobs in this region and I have already had discussions with CPB and heard firsthand that they're very keen to engage the local suppliers, subcontractors and workers in Mackay.They have said that it is naturally more efficient for them to source supplies where they can up here in this region rather than elsewhere.CPB will also be advertising for expressions of interest in due course for locals interested in being involved in the project.This is a very big infrastructure project for our region and we can look forward to seeing the flow-on effects of business dollars and job opportunities for a number of years.
91 young people get jobs through PaTH program
91 young people in the electorate of Dawson now have jobs under the ‘Hire’ element of the Liberal National Government’s Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program.Across the country, more than 5,000 young Australians have been provided job opportunities as businesses take advantage of the financial incentives available to hire more young people.This is a big win for those young people and a win for local businesses helping them grow.
Second local business wins Ring Road water relocation contract
A second contract to relocate water mains on the construction site of the new Mackay Ring Road has been awarded to local company, Roebuck Civil.This is a major investment in the region’s road network. The Mackay Ring Road project was identified as a priority project under the Australian Government commitment to improving the Bruce Highway, and we want local businesses to benefit from that commitment.Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said this was the second local business awarded a water relocation contract on the Ring Road Project, after Vassallo Construction won a contract in May.
Applications open soon for Bowen Basin Jobs & Investment Package
The Bowen Basin region with get a much-needed $30 million shot in the arm from the Regional Jobs and Investment Package, and the good news is that applications will open on May 31.With the Local Investment Plan, formulated by local representatives now done, the applications from the Bowen Basin region can roll in.This has been announced jointly today by the Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash along with Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd and myself.I thank the Bowen Basin Local Planning Committee for their hard work, based on local knowledge of the Bowen Basin region.
Help for young parents in Mackay and Townsville
Disadvantaged parents of young children in Townsville and Mackay will soon have access to the training and support they need to become work ready, thanks to the Liberal National Government’s decision to expand the successful ParentsNext program.The best form of welfare is a job and we are focused on helping more parents of young children into work and off welfare.After successful pilots, the Government is rolling out ParentsNext nationally, to connect more parents of young children with personalised support to improve their work readiness by the time their children start school.20 new locations have been selected for the next rollout of this program, and both Townsville and Mackay are included.
Labor Senators ‘don’t give a damn’ about jobs
LABOR senators can’t spent an extra few hours in Canberra to ensure thousands of workers get on the job sooner to build the Carmichael mine, port and rail line.This is the frustrating result of a series of last minute amendments and stalling in the Senate which has pushed off a vote on the Native Title Act for another month.Although Labor said they would support the necessary amendments to the Native Title Act which has essentially frozen a number of projects, including Adani’s Carmichael mine project, over indigenous land use agreements, they have managed to stall the process and further delay job creation.It’s just another example of the so-called ‘party of the workers’ failing to do what is necessary to support workers not only in Central and North Queensland, but also workers in South Australia at Arrium who will have job security through the company’s deal to supply steel to build the Carmichael rail line.The necessary amendments to the Native Title Act were scheduled for a vote in the Senate yesterday.