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Fair communities

Supporting safe and caring communities

Queensland is experiencing the highest levels of economic prosperity in a generation. Wages have been rising, more people are working and the economy is powering. But unfortunately, not everyone has benefited.

Disadvantage in our communities

Unemployment is at a 34-year-low and demand for workers is at an all-time high. However, there are still communities in Queensland where unemployment is greater than 10% and less than 60% of people participate in the workforce, particularly in our Indigenous communities.

Some people face barriers to getting a job, including not having basic literacy and numeracy skills, having low self-esteem and not having access to affordable child care.

Research has shown children who grow up in homes without a working parent are at greater risk of poverty. They're more likely to perform poorly at school, be welfare dependent or work in low-income jobs, have contact with the criminal justice system and be teenage parents.

This cycle of disadvantage often rolls on from one generation to the next. Entrenched disadvantage is complex and difficult to address.

It takes unique approaches, compassion and time to break this cycle of disadvantage.

An equal future for all

We must provide the support unemployed families need to take the first steps towards creating a better and brighter future for themselves and their children.

We must make the path to employment easier and less daunting for those who aren't working.

We must help everyone who is able to work get a job so they can contribute to and share in the state's prosperity.

Caring for our community

Caring for our community is about being a good neighbour and citizen.

Getting to know the people living near us and in our communities means we can keep an eye out for each other so we know when something's wrong. This makes us feel more connected to each other, which also makes us feel safer.

Caring for our community also means helping out when it's needed.

Volunteers make an enormous contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of our state. Many of our charitable organisations and community groups wouldn't be able to operate if volunteers didn't give freely of their time and skills.

Queenslanders have a strong history of volunteering, but we could all do a bit more. We must renew our spirit of service if we want Tomorrow's Queensland to be a fairer and more caring state.