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Qld govt offers $125m boost for the north

The Queensland government hopes fast-tracking public works in Townsville will help Queensland Nickel's sacked workers.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
The Queensland premier (pic) says Clive Palmer must come clean with his sacked nickel workers. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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The Palaszczuk government has accelerated more than $125 million-worth of further public works in an attempt to find jobs for hundreds of workers sacked from Clive Palmer's Queensland Nickel.

It's hoped the move will fast-track the creation of more than 430 jobs in Townsville, where senior ministers on Wednesday held crisis talks about the future of 237 retrenched workers and the region.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the announcement was part of a five-point plan, which includes the federal government getting on board.

"We will work with the federal government to drive projects in this region," she said.

"We can all do this together. Local, state and federal working together as one."

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The state government announced $61 million worth of accelerated works in the days after the sackings.

Their new commitment takes the total dollar amount to $187 million.

Ms Palaszczuk said an expansion at the Port of Townsville would create around 100 of the new jobs.

Her five-point plan also involves attracting tourism, working with the private sector and equipping people with training and skills.

"This is just the start," she said.

"We will continue to work with this region. We will continue to work with the families and we will do everything that we possibly can."


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