The Albanese Labor Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on 1-2 September 2022.

The summit will bring together a range of stakeholders and experts, including unions, employers, civil society and governments, to address our shared economic challenges.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the Albanese Government took office at a time of rising inflation and interest rates, falling real wages and a trillion dollars in debt, which is now more expensive to service.

“Our goal is to build a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce; boost incomes and living standards; and create more opportunities for more Australians to get ahead and to reach their aspirations,” he said.

“This is about bringing people together and finding common ground on some of our tough economic challenges.

“The summit will be led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer and Queenslander Jim Chalmers, who will work with all Ministers, with key contributions from Finance Minister and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher, who will have a particular focus on the labour market experiences of women.

“The themes and outcomes of the summit will inform an Employment White Paper, which will help to shape the future of Australia’s labour market.

“It will be led by the Commonwealth Treasury, which will invite submissions and engage the wider community over the next 12 months,” Mr Neumann said.

The summit will cover a range of topics with a focus on:

• Keeping unemployment low, boosting productivity and raising incomes
• Delivering secure, well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth
• Expanding employment opportunities for all Australians including the most disadvantaged
• Addressing skills shortages and getting our skills mix right over the long-term
• Improving migration settings to support higher productivity and wages
• Maximising jobs and opportunities from renewable energy, tackling climate change, the digital economy, the care economy and a Future Made in Australia
• Ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.

Mr Neumann said he wanted to maximise the benefits coming out of the Jobs and Skills Summit for Ipswich and the surrounding region.

“The local economy in my electorate of Blair has had its fair share of challenges in recent years and I know a lot of people are doing it tough.

“However, we are seeing enormous employment opportunities and potential from new investments in areas like food and beverage manufacturing, and biotech, which I have been very supportive of. 

“I want to see the summit look at how we can raise people’s wages, create good secure jobs, and allow locals to get the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.

“We need to drive more jobs and growth in outer metropolitan and regional areas, like Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“Also, I want to see more opportunities for disadvantaged people in our community, including our youth and mature age workers, First Nations, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, people with a disability and veterans.

“I’m calling on local businesses, employer groups and anyone interested to come and talk to me about their ideas to feed into the Jobs and Skills Summit, and to consider making a submission to the Employment White Paper,” Mr Neumann said.

For more information on the summit and White Paper, including on how to contribute, visit www.treasury.gov.au/employment-whitepaper/jobs-summit