Another Sign of Government Indifference

26 Jan 12

Whilst the Manufacturing Sector is in turmoil and shedding jobs Industry Minister Greg Combat is in hiding and remains mute.

In a Liberal Party press release it is described how Industry Minister Mr Combat remains mute, leaving dumped cabinet minister and industry fringe dweller Senator Kim Carr to face the music.

The Liberal Party is itself, very light on what actions it would take as an alternative to current Government actions. The Manufacturing Sector as a whole needs a united, focused and strategic approach in this time of need, not political bickering and a lack of a long term strategic plan to support manufacturing, and stem the tide of job losses.

The Manufacturing Sector is facing the multiple headwinds of a higher aussie dollar making exports unattractive, lack of local content in projects, competition from lower cost Asian countries and seemingly Government indifference and inability to take on the challenge of securing Australia's manufacturing future.

The Liberal Party Press Release Reads:

At a crucial time for manufacturing, with the announcement of 350 jobs being shed at Toyota Australia yesterday, the Industry Minister, Greg Combet, remains hidden away and mute leaving all of the heavy lifting to dumped cabinet minister and industry fringe dweller Kim Carr.

Mr Combet’s idea of industry policy is a $10 billion carbon tax slush fund. Everyone knows the slush fund is simply a pretense to appease Bob Brown and his industry hating Green colleagues.

The toxic carbon tax broken promise will burden industry with an additional $460 million. On top of that Mr Combet has been conveniently mute on the $1.4 billion of broken promises to car makers.

If Mr Combet is truly a friend of manufacturing the first thing he can do when he emerges from his slumber is to axe the industry and job destroying carbon tax at this most critical time.