HERE are the mayoral candidates' response to Jack Dempsey's proposal to keep jobs local.

Dempsey said by ensuring local contractors were sought more opportunities would be available, keeping more people employed.

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Elise Cottam:

"My view is that this should already be happening and I don't understand why it is not. Local economic conditions would not be an issue if the contracts and tenders were being sourced locally. This should be first and foremost on council's list before offering contracts and tenders outside of the region."

Reid Schirmer:

"It's difficult to argue with that. Using local products and services - I absolutely agree. It just seems like common sense to do this."

Peter Wyatt:

I'm all for local workers. If local traders were suited to the project it would be in the contract for the winner to employ local people. It would not be fair on ratepayers if you had a $2 million project and we just went local with it. If we could save money going outside the area it would be fairer to ratepayers.

Troy Madle:

"I have always said that to keep as much work local is the only way to strengthen our region's economy. I have been told that to comply with the State Government tendering guidelines it is expensive, and difficult to get through the endless paperwork, especially for smaller contractors. However the state government tendering Guidelines are put in place to stop any collusion or mistreatment of the tendering system. In saying this, Talking to several contractors, they have tried endlessly to get on board the Bundaberg Regional Council system without any luck. Also they have informed me often it is not the price that is the reason for them missing out. I support as much council work being done by locals as possible, including as much core council work being done by council employees, as this supports the local economy. This has been a core part of my campaign from the start. beginning. That needs to be balanced against the need to get value for our region. and jobs being given to selected local contractors to the detriment of other local contractors which a number of people have told me does happen.Yes, there is something wrong with the process. Yes, we will have to work with the State Government to improve on these guidelines to improve the system."