LOUISE MARKUS HOSTS LOCAL JOBS ROUNDTABLE
06-October-2011
Job Service providers in the Hawkesbury took the opportunity to outline current issues facing the local employment sector at a roundtable meeting hosted by Louise Markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie and the Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Sussan Ley MP.
“Sussan and I were pleased to hear local support for Work for the Dole” Louise Markus said.
“It is Coalition policy to restore its importance as a program that ensures people are prepared for work and matches them to relevant and available job vacancies in the area”.
Ms Ley said that concerns had been raised about the impact of the Gillard Labor Government’s proposed carbon tax on some local business who are already reporting a slowdown.
“The slowdown here in the retail and hospitality sector certainly is not going to be helped by the Labor/Greens carbon tax” Ms Ley said.
“Louise Markus said that communication with co-ordinating agencies is vitally important to ensure that job seekers had every opportunity to secure employment.
In the Hawkesbury, job service providers reported that there were jobs going in factory and office work but there were some difficulties being experienced with public transport running times not complementing work start times. An example was given of local farm work starting earlier than local buses were available.
“There’s no doubt in my mind current discussion on public transport in the local area must note the need for efficient and effective commuting times” said Sussan Ley.
Louise Markus said that the roundtable drew out a number of issues such as early school leavers, traineeships and apprenticeships and an expansion of the range of exemptions from looking for work.
“On the positive side, the job clubs operating in schools and interview programs giving future job seekers confidence and awareness of how the process works, are to be commended” Louise Markus said.
“There were many outstanding ideas and a lot of hard work being done by local job service providers. I am committed to assisting young people and job seekers achieve their potential and I look forward to working with our local job services agencies to achieve real outcomes for the Hawkesbury community” Louise Markus said.