Qld: Premier warns of tougher times as jobs dip

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
Qld: Premier warns of tougher times as jobs dip

By Petrina Berry and David Barbeler

BRISBANE, April 2 AAP - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has warned families to brace
for tougher times after another round of cutbacks in mining and manufacturing jobs.

Ms Bligh is meeting with her jobs squad advisory group on Thursday, the same day that
more than 300 workers will finish up at Brisbane's Fisher and Paykel refrigerator factory.

The appliance manufacturer is moving the operation to Thailand.

A further 350 jobs were lost in the mining sector after BHP Billiton cancelled a services
contract at its Goonyella and Norwich Park coal mines in central Queensland.

Ms Bligh said the job cuts were signs of tougher times ahead.

"My determination to protect and create jobs in Queensland is stronger than ever,"

Ms Bligh told reporters.

"That's why I am meeting with my job squad.

"We are facing the worst employment circumstances this country has seen for decades."

She said a new survey by recruitment firm Hudsons showed the number of Queensland employers
planning staff cutbacks has tripled in the past year confirmed gloomy predictions.

"It just serves to remind all of us that, while the Queensland economy is resilient,
it will not be immune from the worst of economic times," she said.

"We are going to see more job losses. We need to steel ourselves for what's ahead."

Unions are to meet with the administrators of mining contractor HMP Constructions on
Friday, after the company shed 350 jobs at BHP Billiton mines and revealed debts of about
$150 million.

There are also fears of job cuts at Wesfarmers' Curragh mine, where HMP also has a contract.

AAP djb/peb/pjo/jl

KEYWORD: JOBS QLD UPDATE

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