Young Queenslanders are continuing to suffer under this do-nothing Palaszczuk Labor Government, with the youth unemployment rate skyrocketing to 26 per cent in the Wide Bay region.
LNP Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said today’s regional unemployment figures were more evidence that unemployed Queenslanders, particularly young people, are losing hope and opportunity under Labor.
“Labor’s jobs crisis has hit especially hard in the Wide Bay with more than 200 jobs lost in the past month and 1,300 in the past 12 months,” Mr Emerson said.
“The youth unemployment rate would be even higher if 1,400 young people hadn’t given up looking for work in the past year. A massive 1,700 youth jobs have been lost in Wide Bay since Labor was elected.
“The Premier claims her Government cares about ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ but she’s silent on the fact that young Queensland jobseekers are simply giving up hope under her government.”
Shadow Employment Minister Jarrod Bleijie said young Queenslanders deserved better from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“These figures show in black and white that Labor’s jobs mantra is nothing more than a con job,” Mr Bleijie said.
Mr Bleijie said the LNP’s Get Queensland Working program would reduce the cost of working for young apprentices and offer financial incentives for businesses that train and retain staff.
“Unlike Labor, with a jobs program that has produced only a fraction of the work needed in the Wide Bay region, the LNP has consulted with industry and developed a real plan that will create jobs today,” he said.
“The LNP’s $100 million Get Queensland Working will create up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders through financial incentives for businesses which take on young apprentices and vouchers for young tradies to buy their tools whether they’re a hairdresser, a carpenter or a pastry chef.”
