September 1, 2022
South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto has called for regional work visas, higher education funding, and increases to the pension income test to be a focus at this week’s Federal Jobs and Skills Summit.
Mayor Otto is hoping for “meaningful outcomes” from the summit, saying regional workforce and skills shortages were crippling the growth of rural communities.
He emphasised three key areas in a letter to local MP David Littleproud, who is attending the Summit:
1. Regional Work Visas – Our region relies heavily on agricultural production and the food processing sector. The restoration of a suitable visa program is a critical element in addressing our regional workforce shortage issues in these sectors and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Our region continues to be hamstrung by these workforce shortages. This is compromising the growth of local food production industries now and into the future.
2. Regional University Centres and TAFE Places – A lack of qualified and skilled professionals and trades staff is having a devastating impact on the health and well-being of our region’s economy and people. The inability of our rural residents to access proper primary health, allied health, and education services is forcing people to relocate into city centres. This issue was raised recently by local long-serving general practitioner, Dr Graham McAllister, describing such as a “perfect storm” that is leading to an imminent crisis in rural health care. A copy of Dr McAllister’s concerns was sent to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet recently during their visit to Gladstone.
3. Increasing the Pension Income Test – Our region has a disproportionately high percentage of senior Australians, many of whom are very keen to remain active workforce participants and have much-needed skills. By taking the decision to at least double the income test for those in receipt of a Services Australia or DVA pension, the government could make a significant impact on skills shortages across our region and much of Australia.
“Furthermore, the homelessness issue is already at crisis point and there is no end in sight with a massive shortage of trades people in the construction sector,” Mayor Otto said.
“This is also resulting in building companies facing bankruptcy due to the inability to meet contracts while the number of vulnerable citizens living on our streets and in our parks escalates weekly.
“We cannot afford to wait for critical funding to support regionally based health practitioner education and training, investment in regional university centres, TAFE places and apprenticeships and traineeships.”
