Martin Ferguson (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Resources and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I simply say to the honourable member that I appreciate his focus on employment. We are very proud of our employment record—4.9 per cent nationally, 5.4 per cent in Queensland—and if this project goes ahead it is going to be interesting with respect to the challenges we will confront in terms of employment. Alpha’s neighbouring town of Emerald currently has an unemployment rate of 2.6 per cent. If the project goes ahead I simply give the House this undertaking: our first priority is the employment of Australians.

Mr Katter interjecting—

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