YOUTH unemployment in outback Queensland is “a constant concern” that does put pressure for local policy makers to resolve.
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Mount Isa State MP Rob Katter said that a new youth worker position had been made available in Cloncurry to target improved engagement.
The position would be funded by the state government. The agency for the position has not yet been chosen, he said.
Mr Katter listed three strategies in order to improve the increasing percentage of youth unemployment.
It was necessary to ensure “the mines stayed alive” through good rail networks and affordable energy to ensure availability of more regional jobs.
Mr Katter said it was also important that jobs were reserved for locals in regional communities instead of being given to Fly In, Fly Out employees.
It was necessary that youth remained engaged in education and training programs so they were prepared to enter the workforce, he said.
He was unsure when youth unemployment had become an issue. “It’s hard to tell. I do not have a baseline to work off,” Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter said that youth unemployment was an issue beyond western Queensland due to a “number of hits to our economy.”
“(We’re) doing our best to combat that but I guess the good news is it is a good place to have industry. There’s always lots of opportunity out here in terms of industry.”
Shadow treasurer Scott Emerson recently blamed the state government for increased levels of youth unemployment in the Queensland outback.
Mr Emerson said the youth unemployment rate was 53.9 per cent in outback Queensland.
He said it had increased 19.7 per cent within the last year.
Employment minister Grace Grace said that the government’s Back to Work jobs program had generated 177 jobs for North West Queensland within a year.
The program had initially offered $100 million in total funding for regional council projects since last July.
She said the program had been such a success that another $50 million would be added towards it.
“177 people in North West Queensland are now in jobs thanks to our Back to Work program,” Ms Grace said.
“Almost half of these are young workers aged 15-24 who have been employed under the $20,000 Back to Work ‘Youth Boost.’”
