Sunday 18 October, 2020
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has announced her plan to help long-term unemployed and older jobseekers get back into the workforce.
Under Labor, Queensland has the highest number of long-term jobseekers in the nation with 42,800 people out of work for 12 months or longer.
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The LNP will launch a $15.5 million plan to get mature age and long-term jobseekers back to work, including:
- $9 million for up-skilling and coordinating mature age and long-term jobseekers to get back to work
- $6 million for a work re-entry internship program for 600 mature age and long-term jobseekers
- $0.5 million for a statewide Experience Counts campaign
Ms Frecklington said the long-term unemployment crisis began years before COVID and that Labor had no plan and no Budget to get Queenslanders working again.
“Our plan to build a stronger economy includes $15.5 million to help mature age and long-term jobseekers get back to work,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Under Labor, there are 42,800 Queensland mature age and long-term jobseekers out of work – the highest of any state in Australia.
“The LNP has a plan to support mature age and long-term jobseekers to get back to work.
“I want to see an end to the negativity that mature age and long-term jobseekers often experience.
“I believe they are often just as capable, just as adaptable and just as willing to roll up their sleeves and take up a new challenge.
“This funding will deliver a coordination program for jobseekers, support businesses to hire, and a state-wide Experience Counts campaign to promote the benefits of mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“While these forgotten Queenslanders have been left behind by Labor, the LNP has a plan to get Queensland working again.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development Fiona Simpson said: “Our plan includes a $9 million job match program to coordinate the placement of mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“We will provide the training that allows them to match their skills and interests with the needs of the labour market,” Ms Simpson said.
“An LNP Government will also provide a $6 million work re-entry internship program to help businesses give mature age and long-term jobseekers a go.
“The re-entry internship program will pay 100% of a jobseeker’s salary for the first month and 50% for the second month for 600 mature age and long-term jobseekers.
“When hiring a new employee, it’s not about age rather it’s about getting the right person to fit a business’ needs.”
Worst regions for mature-age jobseekers (aged 45 and over):
- There are 8400 more mature age jobseekers across Queensland since January 2015 (a 21.1% increase)
- 5600 more across Greater Brisbane
- 2100 more on Gold Coast
- 500 more in Cairns and Townsville (combined)
- 400 more in the Outback
Worst regions for long-term jobseekers (out of work for 12 months or longer)
- 7700 more long-term jobseekers across Queensland since January 2015 (22% increase)
- 3300 more in Wide Bay
- 3000 more in the Outback
- 1800 more in Central Queensland
- 700 more in Mackay / Whitsunday
