Queensland jobs and businesses come first under LNP

Saturday, October 17, 2020

An LNP Government will mandate government contracts to go to Queensland businesses in three strategic industries to support local jobs and drive economic recovery.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the new procurement mandate would make Queensland businesses the only ones in line for government contracts for food, manufacturing and medical supplies.

The new procurement policy will be kickstarted with a $25 million plan to replace the ageing marine rescue fleet of VMR and coastguard, which will support boat builders and secure more local jobs up and down the Queensland coast.

Labor’s broken procurement system has led to more than $1.2 billion in taxpayer-funded contracts awarded to interstate and overseas companies.

“It’s never been more important to buy local and back Queensland businesses,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The LNP’s plan to buy local and go Queensland first will secure more high-paying jobs and ensure profits stay in Queensland.

“It’s time to be loud and proud about local business and go Queensland first.

“The LNP will back Queensland milk in Queensland hospitals.

“Writing cheques with taxpayer money for businesses in other states and overseas stimulates their economy, not ours.

“Purchasing Queensland food, Queensland manufacturing, and Queensland medical supplies ensures taxpayers’ money stays in Queensland.

“Businesses will be able to build a sustainable revenue base and grow with an LNP Government as their anchor customer.

“The LNP’s procurement policy will open up new opportunities for businesses and more high-paying local jobs in Queensland.

“Only the LNP has a plan to get Queensland working again.”

The three strategic industries under the LNP’s new local procurement mandate are:

  • Food
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical supplies

Any government contract that falls under these three industries will be mandated to be delivered to a Queensland business – by more than doubling the current weighting for local suppliers (30% to 70%) – of any size, as long as they can meet the specifications of the contract. 

Any new contract or existing government contract that needs to be renewed will fall under this new procurement mandate.

Over the next five years, an LNP government will transition all government contracts to 100% Queensland medical supplies, 100% manufacturing and 100% local food. 

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander Labor had been misleading the public about its support for local jobs.

“Queenslanders aren’t buying Labor’s talk of supporting local businesses because their contract decisions have cost jobs in communities across the state,” Mr Mander said.

“The LNP won’t shy away from putting the interests or economic security of Queenslanders first.

“We will Buy Local and go Queensland first because we want Queensland milk served in Queensland hospitals and Queensland’s emergency services vessels made by Queensland businesses.

“The LNP will ensure Queensland-made masks, gloves and face shields will protect Queensland nurses, doctors and paramedics.

“With the worst unemployment rate in the nation, there’s never been a more important time to go Queensland first.

“Only the LNP will protect local jobs and back our great small businesses.”