Tuesday, April 04, 2006

THE GOOD NEWS STARTS TO FLOW

MORE MONEY FOR JOBS AND TRAINING

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting : "Farmers and workers devastated by Cyclone Larry will receive a further $19 million under a new jobs and training package unveiled today.

"Cyclone Larry devastated about 12,500 hectares of prime agricultural land when it swept through far north Queensland two weeks ago, wiping out cane, banana and other tropical fruit and nut crops. It also left thousands of farm workers unemployed.

"Mr Beattie said the $18.56 million in new aid, which comes on top of more than $100 million in federal and state assistance already pledged, would help keep workers in the area until affected farms recovered."

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According to Beattie, the money will be used to help farmers hold onto the skilled labour that they are likely to see move on from the affected areas now the jobs are gone. Money will also go towards providing training for those not highly skilled, and also re-training. Which means some people who have lost their jobs may have to agree to training for new lines of work in order to get money from the new line of funds.

The Herald is touring a figure of "1000 displaced workers" who are expected to find new jobs helping to rebuild the damaged infrastructure.