Coalition MPs lobby over Qld job cuts

Coalition MPs are lobbying the federal government for an economic rescue package for central and north Queensland.

Five Liberal and National MPs have raised concerns about job losses in the region during a party room meeting in Canberra.

The debate came as one of its largest employers, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), announced it was shedding 700 jobs due to tough market conditions.

Dawson MP George Christensen said more than 15,000 jobs had been lost in central Queensland in the past three years.

He and his colleagues urged the government to provide a regional stimulus package.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he did not favour the type of "regional rescue packages" which were provided under the Howard government.

But he encouraged the MPs to come up with a list of priority road, rail and other infrastructure projects for consideration.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb said the world was awash with cheap cash and foreign investors were seeking to invest in infrastructure in stable "safe haven" countries such as Australia.

Mr Christensen said the mining job losses would hit communities hard and have far greater flow-on effects than the closure of the car industry in southern states.

"I will be meeting with the deputy prime minister, treasurer and other MPs from the region to see what can be done to assist communities impacted by the downturn," he said after the meeting.