600 jobs lost
MORE than 600 people have lost their jobs in the Far North in the past three months, as the global credit crisis batters the economy.
The job losses have been across a wide range of industries, primarily tourism and construction, but also in retail and mining.
Business lobby group Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland (formerly Commerce Queensland) reported more than 500 redundancies with affiliated employers, while mining company Kagara has just shed 130 jobs.
The Cairns office of Lamont Constructions has laid off up to 10 staff in the past month, including three yesterday.
Even law firms are not immune, with MacDonnells Law confirming it had cut eight jobs in Cairns and 16 statewide.
Chamber president Beatrice Booth said the tourism economies of Cairns and the Gold Coast were among Australia’s hardest hit and she warned of more to come.
"Unless the tourism industry recovers in the next six months, I foresee some in the tourism and service sectors having to close stores," she said.
"Worldwide, people just aren’t travelling any more."
Her comments came as the latest CairnsWatch report showed Far Northern unemployment at 5.7 per cent – the highest for three years and well above the Queensland average of 3.6 per cent.
CairnsWatch author Rick Carr said job advertising had been on a "steady downward trend" and was now down by a third on the previous 12 months.
Ms Booth said public infrastructure spending was essential to bring more cash into the local economy.
"That’s why we’ve been pushing so hard for construction of a new hospital and a guarantee the airport sale money will be spent here," she said.
"This downturn is equivalent to the pilots’ strike.
"Some will disagree with me, but I was there and lived through it."
The latest job losses were on top of earlier cuts made by major developers CEC and the Hedley Group, she said.
Ms Booth said it was essential for business to work together.
"People need to make sure they are networking, sharing their situations and encouraging each other," she said.
"We need to keep our voice strong and be confident we will come through."
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Crisis hits home: More than 600 people have lost their jobs in the Far North in the past three months, as the global credit crisis hits. The job losses have been across a wide range of industries, primarily tourism and construction.
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