Employers will be eligible for up to $20,000 through the State Government’s Back to Work program when they hire a mature-aged jobseeker aged 55 and over.
Addressing the ALP’s campaign launch on Sunday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Back to Work program had helped more than 9000 Queenslanders get a job.
“Today, I can announce that if re-elected, the Government will introduce a special Back to Work Boost for mature-aged jobseekers aged 55 and over,” the Premier said.
The Mature-Aged Workers Boost will be open for applications for a six-month period from January 1 until June 30, 2018.
“Under the Boost, employers who take on a mature-aged jobseeker will be eligible for up to $20,000.
“This will bring the mature-aged payments into line with the current $20,000 Youth Boost payment for young jobseekers.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the Mature-Aged Workers Boost recognised the particular challenges facing older workers seeking to re-enter the labour market after a period of unemployment.
“The evidence shows it becomes more and difficult for older workers to find work again if they lose their job, with workers aged 55 and over recording the highest average duration of unemployment and the highest incidence of age discrimination,” she said.
“A third of those who had experienced age discrimination gave up looking for work. These are workers who need to work and want to work and we are going to back them all the way.”
Up to $5 million will be committed to deliver the Mature-Aged Workers Boost under Back to Work.
In addition, the Government will appoint a prominent Queenslander as an Ambassador for mature-age-friendly workplaces and establish an awards program to recognise and showcase Queensland businesses that demonstrate best practice in employing older workers.
“The Ambassador will work with the Government and employers to promote and advocate the benefits of employers taking on mature-aged workers in their workplace, and help dispel some of the myths and stereotypes that act as barriers to mature aged employment,” the Premier said.
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At the same campaign launch, the Premier pledged to extend the $20,000 First Home Buyer’s grant to June 30, 2018.
The grant had been due to expire on December 31, but if re-elected the State Government will provide an extra $51.6 million to extend it a further six months.
“We all know how house prices across the nation have spiked in recent years, and that the Australian dream of home ownership has become a lot harder to save for,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“While average house prices here are more affordable than the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, I want to see Queenslanders able to purchase their first home sooner.”
The Premier said the the Queensland First Home Owner’s Grant had been boosted by $5000 to $20,000 in the 2016-17 State Budget for the purchase of newly-constructed houses, units or townhouses valued at up to $750,000.
She said the boosted grant had been a great success, with more than 10,000 applications worth $200 million approved, or being processed, since July 2016.
“Around 80 per cent of those are in our regional communities,” she said.
“The grant not only helps tackle housing affordability, but it helps to create jobs. It is a bricks and mortar investment by my government in supporting jobs in the building industry, right across our state.”
Ms Palaszczuk said her government would also continue stamp duty relief for first home buyers.
“If a first home buyer purchases a property up to $500,000 they will pay no duty, with reduced rates available up to $550,000.
“This relief amounts to over $200 million per annum for first home buyers,” she said.
