Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining Stirling Hinchliffe said the Bligh Government’s number one priority is to ensure that all Queenslanders benefit from the resource sector boom that we are experiencing.

Minister Hinchliffe said the Government has taken strong steps to ensure local businesses and local workers benefit from the opportunities that are available and will become available as our resource sector expands in the years ahead.

“Earlier this year, the Bligh Government introduced Local Industry Participation Plans requiring Government Agencies, Statutory Authorities and Government owned corporations to develop, implement and report on local industry participation plans,” Minister Hinchliffe said.

“These plans are designed to ensure that local businesses are able to access Government work,” he said.

“Projects in mining and CSG industries are being developed and funded by the private sector. Ultimately those companies are spending their own capital, but they are aware of the Governments expectations that Queenslanders be given first priority when it comes to jobs and business opportunities.

“We have already seen billions of dollars invested locally, generating thousands of jobs and significant economic benefits for Queensland.

“The Premier launched one of the ferries that will operate between Curtis Island and Gladstone at Hemmant on Tuesday.

“That ferry was built by local industry, by local workers and Brisbane based boat builder Aluminium Boats Australia has doubled in size as a result of the work it has won from resource projects.

“In Toowoomba and the Western Downs, dozens of local companies have won tenders and are reaping the rewards of the resources boom.

“Companies like Easternwell and Dalby’s Ostwald Brothers and Macguires coaches more are employing more local workers and generating real wealth for the local economy and we see more local businesses benefiting as the resource sector expands.”

Minister Hinchliffe said the Bligh Government supported a fly in fly out (FIFO) policy for resources workers.

The Bligh Government believes workers should have a say on where they live. People can live in Hervey Bay, Gympie or on the Gold Coast – pay rates, raise families, buy groceries at home – and work in the mining industry,” he said.

“Right now there are more than 3,500 jobs for Queensland workers going in our booming resource industry. We’ll need 38,000 workers to meet industry demand over the next few years.

“In contrast Campbell Newman and the LNP have already ruled out FIFO.

“That means the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Wide Bay will be locked out of the resources boom by the LNP.

“We, however, are committed to ensuring those communities become part of the resources boom through the “Resources 101” program – a $1.2 million plan to plug eligible Queensland jobseekers in the state’s booming resources sector with special ‘Resources101’ courses available in key regions around the State.”

The 500 funded training places will be made available through TAFE Institutes in regions such as Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday and Wide Bay Burnett.

“We are also holding Work for Queensland Jobs Expos in areas of high unemployment because our focus is making sure that as many Queenslanders as possible can take up these resources jobs.”

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