Infrastructure and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, has met with local government leaders ahead of next week’s Jobs and Skills Summit.
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President, Linda Scott, who will be among those attending the summit at Parliament House on 1-2 September, was also at the roundtables representing councils.
Ms King said the events were intended to inform the government’s goal of finding common ground on how to build a bigger, better trained, and more productive workforce.
“We also want to create even more opportunities for Australians to get ahead and reach their aspirations while bolstering incomes and living standards,” she said.
Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain also held meetings with representatives from local government and Regional Development Australia before the summit, which will address our shared economic challenges and recommend immediate actions as well as opportunities to drive positive change in the longer term.
In an issues paper published last week, the Federal Treasury said the summit will cover five broad themes, including:
- Maintaining full employment and growing productivity;
- Boosting job security and wages;
- Lifting participation and reducing barriers to employment;
- Delivering a high-quality labour force through skills, training, and migration; and
- Maximising opportunities in the industries of the future.
Summit outcomes will inform an Employment White Paper being led by Treasury and which will include an invitation for submissions from the wider community over the next 12 months.
Article first appeared in ALGA News.