LNP fund to boost North Queensland manufacturing

Wednesday 1 July, 2020

A future LNP Government will help Queensland manufacturers break into new markets by launching a $20 million Built-in-Queensland co-marketing program.

Announcing the fund at a Townsville textile manufacturer today, LNP Shadow Minister for Manufacturing Andrew Powell said the new fund would help Queensland manufacturers recover from five years of Labor’s anti-business agenda.

Since Annastacia Palaszczuk became Premier in 2015, more than 18,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Queensland.

In the past 12 months 2300 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Townsville – almost a third of the region’s manufacturing workforce*.

“It’s time to make Built-in-Queensland a global brand,” Mr Powell said.

“The LNP’s $20 million fund will help Queensland manufacturers market their products in Australia and overseas.

“Whether it’s an interstate trade show promoting Queensland manufacturing products, or an emerging international market where there are new opportunities, Queensland manufacturers will be able to apply and access matching funds to promote their Queensland-built products.”

LNP candidate for Townsville John Hathaway said he was disturbed by the loss of local manufacturing jobs under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“Under Labor fewer products are being produced in Queensland and jobs are being exported to other states and overseas,” Mr Hathaway said.

“The LNP will back our great manufacturing businesses by helping them market their products, cutting red-tape and guaranteeing they will pay no new taxes under a Deb Frecklington Government.

“The LNP will help North Queensland firms take on the world – and win.”

* Townsville manufacturing workforce: May 2019 – 7,600, May 2020 – 5,300. Source: 6291.0.55.003 – Labour Force, Detailed, Quarterly, May 2020 www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6291.0.55.003