Jobs at risk in regional Queensland under Abbott

 Media Release

21 January 2014

The Abbott Government must rule out job losses in Cairns after revelations the Australian Tax Office is set to close offices in regional Queensland.
 Cairns is among the offices named and is understood to employ around seven staff. Another Northern Queensland office is also set for the chopping block with six Mackay staff at risk.
Queensland Senator Jan McLucas said the Abbott Government must clear up the record and rule out job losses in regional Queensland.
"Cairns cannot afford for more jobs to go," Senator McLucas said.
"We have lost hundreds of workers from our region over the last 18 months.
"That means hundreds of pay packets that are no longer being spent at local shops, restaurants and other traders; this hurts our economy."
Senator McLucas called on the Abbott Government not to follow the path of the Newman Government and gut the public service in the Far North.
"We need more jobs and investment in Cairns, not less," Senator McLucas said.
"The Member for Leichhardt has made a lot of noise about moving public servants to North Queensland; axing federal government jobs from the ATO in Cairns flies completely in the face of his comments.
"We're still waiting for the staff that he promised for Cairns as part of the Northern Australia Committee."