THE QUEENSLAND government announced a plan yesterday to ‘throw a lifeline’ to displaced SA Mitsubishi workers who will lose their jobs when Mitsubishi’s car manufacturing plant shuts down at the end of March.
Poor sales promoted the closure of the Japanese car company’s Adelaide facility, with close to 1,000 workers to be without a job from next month.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said Queensland employers were in desperate need of skilled workers, especially in certain regions.
“There are major projects happening in Central Queensland, Far North Queensland, Mackay as well the Surat Basin and Northern Economic Triangle and they are all looking for workers,” Bligh stated.
“Queensland has jobs. It is an ideal place to bring up a family and we have a cherished lifestyle,” she said.
“I have asked Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle to lead a push to attract the displaced workers.
“She will meet with major employers here and to put together a package that will involve advertising in South Australia and talk to those workers about opportunities here right across the state.”