March 1, 2018
Two South Burnett painting businesses and a carpet company have been given contracts under the State Government’s Buy Queensland program.
Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said on Thursday that Andersens Carpets Kingaroy had been contracted to upgrade flooring in 25 government employee homes in Proston, Wondai, Cherbourg, Murgon, Yarraman, Toogoolawah and Nanango.
T & C Painters will complete internal and external painting on 19 properties in Cherbourg, Goomeri, Murgon, Proston and Wondai as well as 20 homes in the Kingaroy area.
P & W Aylward Painting Contractors will paint 16 homes in Nanango and Yarraman.
“The homes we are upgrading accommodate qualified professionals such as teachers, ambulance officers, police and nurses,” Mr de Brenni said.
The contracts are expected to support the jobs of 21 local workers.
“Buy Queensland gives regional businesses a leg up when competing for government contracts against larger firms,” Mr de Brenni said.
“The value of a dollar spent is greatly increased when it is spent where it’s earned, right here in South Burnett.”
Mr de Brenni called on Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington to support the government’s Buy Queensland initiative and dump the LNP’s “sham procurement policy which would open the door for overseas suppliers to undercut local businesses”.
Mrs Frecklington hit back, saying Labor’s claims of creating jobs in the South Burnett were “just more spin from a government that doesn’t understand regional Queensland”.
“Regional Queenslanders know that the real jobs in the bush come from supporting small business and getting on with building the infrastructure our region needs,” she said.
“Sadly, Labor has stripped almost $2 billion from Queensland’s infrastructure spend in regional communities.
“The proof’s in the pudding. Labor had the chance to support Queensland businesses during the Commonwealth Games but instead they bought Chinese mattresses and sent bus contracts to Melbourne.
“If the Premier wants to supports jobs in the South Burnett she could start by having Queensland wines at the Commonwealth Games.”
- For more information on how to become registered for State Government building and construction work, phone (07) 3008-3392 or visit www.qld.gov.au/gov/building-services
