Inconsistent Reporting over Jobs Summit

8 Oct 11

Following the summit, trying to present a balanced point of view is difficult in the face of inconsistent media reports and press releases about exactly what the summit achieved and who supports it.

The Liberal Party reports that Julia Gillard’s embarrassing indifference to Australian manufacturing has been exposed yet again as her one-day jobs talkfest descended into farce – with the belated establishment of a taskforce.

After four years of contraction, mayhem and 136,000 lost jobs under Labor’s industry policy vacuum, Australian manufacturing is crying out for urgent changes and strategic vision – but Ms Gillard seems to believe minor tinkering and further months of government jawboning will do the trick.

“There is no leadership, understanding or vision from Julia Gillard and Kim Carr on manufacturing – at a time when such qualities have never been more urgently required,” said Shadow Industry Minister Sophie Mirabella.

“They have finally been shamed into acknowledging the Opposition’s longstanding calls for urgent reviews of policy and for changes in the areas of government procurement and industry participation, but their announcements today represent an extraordinarily limited, weak and token effort."

On the other hand Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told Channel Nine the plan has his in-principle support.

"Look, I think all of us want to see more local content and let's see exactly what the Prime Minister has got in mind but in principle, yes, I think that is a good idea," he said.

"Let's see if she is actually able to turn good intentions into effective practice." But Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey is not as supportive, describing the talks as a "gabfest".

He says the measures announced by the Government from the jobs forum are already being done.

Another media report suggests that the Federal Opposition has joined industry and unions in broadly welcoming Government moves to help the manufacturing sector.

At the core of the summit was a push for more local content in projects that have a Commonwealth government contribution. Until now, mining companies working on projects with a Commonwealth contribution of at least $20 million have been required to detail how much local product will be used, in return for receiving a tariff cut.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that will be expanded to include any project receiving Commonwealth support.

The measures, are designed to pressure mining and construction companies into using more local manufacturing content.

"If you want Australian taxpayers' dollars, then you're going to have to give Australian businesses a fair chance to compete for work," Ms Gillard said.

Ms Gillard also announced she would head up a new manufacturing taskforce to address what unions call a crisis in the sector, going so far as to say that those who lock out local manufacturers for projects will be named and shamed.

Visit our directory of manufacturers all of whom are looking for leadership on this subject to secure their futures and those of their employees.