Shorten Says Abbott Plays Politics As Australian Jobs Are Lost

Feb 10, 2014

Tony Abbott has been playing political stunts whilst presiding over the death of the Australian car industry, says the Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten.

Shorten

Responding to the announcement of Toyota’s intention to close its Australian manufacturing operations in 2017, Shorten said it was “a very sad day” for Toyota workers and their families.

News of the Toyota decision coincided with the government’s announcement of a royal commission into union corruption. Shorten said: “While Tony Abbott was playing his political stunts today, two and a half thousand workers lost their jobs.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Audio, Cars, Manufacturing Tagged With: , , ,

Australian Car Industry Dies: Toyota To End Local Production By End Of 2017

Feb 10, 2014

Toyota has announced that it will end vehicle and engine production in Australia by the end of 2017.

The announcement marks the formal death of the Australian car manufacturing industry. A product of post-war economic development, the automotive industry at its peak included manufacturing plants operated by General Motors Holden, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Toyota says “various negative factors such as an extremely competitive market and a strong Australian dollar, together with forecasts of a reduction in the total scale of vehicle production in Australia, have forced us to make this painful decision”. [Read more…]

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Abbott Offers $100 Million Employment Fund For Car Workers

Dec 18, 2013

In the aftermath of the announced departures of Ford and Holden, Prime Minister Tony Abbott today announced a $100 million employment fund for Victoria and South Australia.

Abbott

Details of the assistance package won’t be decided until the second half of 2014 but Abbott said the money would be spent on “economically responsible” projects.

The federal government will provide $60 million whilst Victoria and South Australia will each contribute $12 million. Holden will be asked to provide $20 million. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Audio, Cars, Manufacturing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Abbott And Shorten Clash Over Holden Closure In Terse Parliamentary Exchange

Dec 11, 2013

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have made parliamentary statements on the Holden closure that led to terse exchanges in the House of Representatives tonight.

Abbott [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Abbott, Audio, Cars Tagged With: , , , , ,
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