Claims extracted
22
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
5%
1 of 22 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
68/100
ABC News (AU)'s corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Economy/Business
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
In short:
Butcher shops are under pressure in the face of a dire skills shortage, with one Noosa business choosing to close its retail store due to a lack of staff.
asserted
business → choose → staff
Some butcher store owners are exploring how to recruit people from overseas to fill vacancies.
asserted
owners → explore → vacancies
Queensland butchers are grappling with a skills shortage, with one set to stop serving customers due to a lack of available staff, while others have begun recruiting from overseas.
Noosa butcher Steve Young's business had grown over more than 20 years, starting with his first storefront in nearby Tewantin in 2005.
He said the retail butcher store still had a strong and loyal group of customers, but that its popularity was also the reason for it having to close.
asserted
it → grapple → customers
"We've just hit rock bottom where my retail shop is operating here today with two butchers in it, where normally there would be four butchers and probably two counter staff as well," he said.
asserted
he → hit → it
A number of forces are driving Mr Young's need, and his struggle, for staff.
asserted
number → drive → staff
Alongside the retail business that acts as a classic neighbourhood butcher, he supplies IGA supermarkets across the state and increasingly into New South Wales.
asserted
he → act → Wales
And a freshly signed contract means his smallgoods will now be stocked in another 22 stores.
asserted
smallgoods → sign → stores
But his business has also been built over decades in what has become one of the country's most expensive housing markets.
asserted
what → build → markets
"I'd say, in the last 18 months, I've probably spent $15,000 on ads … and we get continual applicants,"he said.
"
asserted
we → say → applicants,"he
They are contacted by phone, by text, and half of them, most of them, don't even answer.
asserted
half → contact → them
You might have a conversation with some and they'll say, 'Yeah, I'll come in for an interview' and they never turn up."
He said the turnover of staff was also challenging.
uncertain
turnover → have → staff
"I couldn't even put a number on how many I've seen come and go from my facility in the past 12 months."
asserted
I → put → months
Queensland's retail meat industry has been struck by multiple high-profile closures in recent months, particularly in the state's south-east.
Jack Purcell Meats closed in July after more than 80 years while third-generation Big Gun Meats shut down in recent weeks.
asserted
Meats → strike → weeks
Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan said the lack of butchers was a "genuine and ongoing workforce challenge".
asserted
lack → say → butchers
He said shortages made it harder for butcher shops to grow, train apprentices and keep up with customer demand.
asserted
shops → say → demand
Martin Pennay has 130 staff at his store in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
asserted
Pennay → have → Coast
His business has begun looking overseas to recruit the workers he struggled to find locally.
asserted
he → begin → workers
"It's been a real journey finding people to apply for jobs, finding people that want to come and work with us,"he said.
asserted
that → find → us,"he
"Over time, we have found some visa workers who have integrated incredibly well.
"
asserted
who → find → workers
Mr Young said he was glad the closure of his retail store was partly due to its success, and said no workers would lose their job.
asserted
workers → say → job
But he said putting an end to serving customers at the counter was "a massive decision" for both him and wife Stacey.
asserted
putting → say → him
"I'm closing down a very successful retail outlet because we simply can't staff it, and it's devastating," he said.
asserted
he → close → it
The Aporia