Labor talks up infrastructure

Labor will promise a series of construction and infrastructure projects in regional Queensland cities (including Cairns) hit by high unemployment in a bid to create blue-collar jobs. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (above) will make the first of a series of announcements in Gladstone this morning.

LABOR will promise a series of construction and infrastructure projects in regional Queensland cities hit by high unemployment in a bid to create blue-collar jobs.

It follows a growing backlash in central and north Queensland after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten attacked the Adani mega-mine and indicated that the party could oppose the project.

He has since backed away from this, while Townsvillebased state and federal Labor MPs have said they support the mine if it stacks up without taxpayer funding.

Despite this, discussions are continuing in the party on whether or not to actively oppose the controversial mine.

Mr Shorten will arrive in Gladstone this morning to announce $100 million funding for the Gladstone Port Access Road, which will create 200 construction jobs and enable the port to expand its capacity.

It will be the first in a series of announcements for projects in central and north Queensland that will be centred around infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and energy.

Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton are also expected to make up part of the package.

Labor committed $80 million to the port access road project during the 2016 election campaign but has increased the amount following advice from the port authority.

Mr Shorten said the jobs package was about “maximising the economic impact of central and north Queensland”.

“The plan will deliver longterm, secure jobs that are tied to infrastructure projects, backed by government investment,” he said.

The Labor leader yesterday still questioned whether the mine would stack up and compared its promise of jobs to Clive Palmer’s failed Queensland Nickel refinery.

“I just don’t want those pinning their hopes on jobs here being let down. We saw that with Clive Palmer and Queensland Nickel,” he said.

Townsville’s economy was badly hit when Queensland Nickel fell into administration and about 800 workers lost their jobs. The workers and other contractors were owed about $300 million.

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole yesterday said she supported the mine if it stacked up without taxpayer funds.

She said Adani’s office in Townsville was a “hive of activity” and had real jobs.

“If it stacks up it stacks up, it’s that simple,” she said.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said he supported the need for mining and resources jobs.

“So I say to Adani get on with the project and deliver jobs for north Queensland as promised,” he said.