PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
WORKERS REGIONAL TRAVELAND ACCOMMODATION SUPPORT SCHEME
733. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Premier,
only six per cent of the required 7 000 jobs have been filled. What is the
government's plan B to make sure that the agricultural and
horticultural industries have the thousands of seasonal jobs filled for this
season?
Mr M. McGOWAN
replied:
As
I said in reply to the previous question, we have launched a major campaign. We
have launched up to $4 000 per person in travel and accommodation
allowances to attract people out there to do this sort of work. As far as I understand
it, that money is tax free. We have done what we can do. We do not control the
welfare system. The commonwealth government controls the welfare system. I urge
the member to make her pleas to her colleagues in the commonwealth government
about this matter. I have now raised this matter personally with the Prime
Minister on a number of occasions. I urge there to be some urgency at a commonwealth
government level.