The Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) President Richard Warner welcomed the Queensland Government’s $8 million commitment to assist the creation of jobs for vulnerable Queenslanders, announced through the Queensland Budget.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund aimed to help new and existing operations to grow, creating more jobs and providing needed services and products to customers.

“Throughout the COVID pandemic social enterprises have been working tirelessly in their local communities and through the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund we want to develop the capacity and capability of this sector, to build on these successes and open up new opportunities,” Ms Farmer said.

“Social enterprises support some of the state’s most vulnerable people by creating jobs and delivering other social benefits, as well as contributing to our economy.

“Over the coming two years the Queensland Government will work to develop the market and foster strong and vibrant social enterprises across the state.”

Incoming QSEC President Mr Warner said he was excited to work with the Government on the roll out of the Fund.

“We’re delighted to see our sector advocacy efforts recognised through this significant level of funding, and particularly grateful for Minister Farmer’s support in this early stage of the Government’s response to local economic solutions.”

The Fund will support social enterprise sector development and job-creation which in turn increases capacity to tackle issues of homelessness, access to food, health and education, cultural and social inequities and environmental issues.

“We look forward to working with our sector partners and the Queensland Government to support emerging local solutions as enterprises strive to go beyond business as usual in these very unusual economic times,” Mr Warner concluded.