State Government commits $100,000 to renew partnership with QRC

by | Jun 2, 2015 | Media Releases

The State Government has committed $100,000 to renew an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobs partnership with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said a new memorandum of understanding would be concluded this month.

He said the QRC would match the State Government’s funding, with the partnership worth $200,000 in 2015-16.

“The resources sector is a major source of employment in this State, but Indigenous Queenslanders are under-represented in the sector,” he said.

“We want to give more Indigenous Queenslanders the opportunity to carve out rewarding resources careers.

“That’s what this new MOU will focus on, and we’ll work with QRC to ensure more Indigenous Queenslanders can access opportunities with resources companies.

“The MOU between the State Government and the QRC commenced in 2007 and it has a proven track record of generating employment for Indigenous Queenslanders.

“At the end of 2014, there were almost one thousand full time Indigenous employees in the Queensland resources sector.”

Mr Pitt said the Palaszczuk Government would continue to partner with business and industry to provide more apprenticeships and training to Indigenous Queenslanders.

“In recent months, we’ve helped to place more than 70 young Indigenous Queenslanders in construction apprenticeships in the resources sector,” he said.

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to a new Indigenous employment MOU.

“The QRC is excited to be renewing its MOU with the State Government,” he said.

“It aims to ensure more Indigenous people share in the opportunities available in the resources sector, and giving resources companies the skilled workers they need.”

Mr Pitt also congratulated winners at QRC’s Indigenous Awards held last night in Brisbane.

“I want to congratulate all award winners and finalists for their contribution to the Queensland resources sector and the State’s economy,” he said.