Former Queensland State of Origin greats are teaming up with the Rudd Government to tackle Indigenous unemployment head on through a series of employment and careers expos.

Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib today opened the sixth Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

The Australian Government provided $1.4 million to the Former Origin Greats (FOGS) for the six Queensland expos, to promote and support employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

“Indigenous unemployment is currently three times that of the rest of the community and the Government along with the Former Origin Greats is determined to address that problem,” Senator Arbib said.

“The Australian Government is committed to working with employers to tackle the barriers to employment head on with a range of initiatives to close the gap in Indigenous employment.”

FOGS is a not-for-profit organisation comprising 167 former league players who represented Queensland in State of Origin football. The former players use their sporting achievements to encourage Indigenous students to achieve their potential.

“The value of the work FOGS does to mentor more than 500 Indigenous young people participating in school‑based traineeships throughout Queensland cannot and should not be underestimated,” Senator Arbib said.

“These players are legends and use their status to capture the attention of students, employers and job seekers to promote Indigenous employment.

“These expos give Indigenous job seekers and school students the opportunity to meet employers and discuss employment and training opportunities in their local area.

“I’d like to thank FOGS for organising this event. FOGS have already run five highly successful expos in Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay and Mt Isa.”

Former rugby league greats, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Sam Backo, Arthur Beetson and Greg Conescu attended the expo.

Businesses such as the Commonwealth Bank, Ergon Energy, Greyhound Australia, AbiGroup, Coles Group and Woolworths were among 55 Exhibitors to participate in this important event.

For more information about the expo visit www.fogs.com.au