Advocacy Alert: Federal Labor's Decentralisation Commitment for Townsville

25th January 2019

Townsville Enterprise welcomes today's announcement from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to create 200 permanent full time Department of Human Services jobs in Townsville.

The decentralisation of Government agencies is a key priority included in our 2018-19 Federal Election Priorities document which was presented to the Government and Opposition in Canberra last September, when North Queensland business leaders joined Townsville Enterprise and the five regional Mayors on a delegation to Parliament House. This agenda has also been highlighted through Townsville Enterprise's submission to the Federal Government's Senate Inquiry into the 'Relocation of Government Bodies to Regional Areas'. 

The priority was further reinforced with the Opposition as a key discussion point when Townsville Enterprise met with Shadow Treasurer, Chris Bowen during his visit to Townsville last year. We acknowledge Member for Herbert, Cathy O'Toole for her assistance in facilitating that meeting, with this commitment presenting an opportunity to boost the revitalisation of the Townsville CBD.

Today's announcement is a welcomed contribution to job creation in Townsville North Queensland and ticks the box of regionalising public sector opportunities. With 11,000 people currently looking for employment, every new local job counts and is valued. That said, we must also continue to work towards the long-term economic future and job creation required in our region through facilitating and supporting a sustainable pipeline of new private sector and infrastructure projects. By enabling private sector investment in projects like opening the Galilee Basin and progressing Hells Gates Dam, longer term opportunities will be on offer for the region. It’s a big task ahead of us all, but one we will not shy away from.

The Government of the day has a responsibility to deliver sustainable public sector employment opportunities and career paths for locals, first and foremost, whilst also attracting those living in cities to regional communities. Labor's decentralisation announcement is a step in the right direction and we will continue to work with all sides of Government to deliver long-term job creating commitments to secure Townsville North Queensland's future economic growth.

Click here to read the full announcement from the Labor Government.

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