The AMWU has welcomed a proposal by Toyota to build a hybrid car in Melbourne, and urged the Federal Government to get behind the creation of a ‘green-car’ industry in Australia.
AMWU National President Julius Roe said that every other car-producing nation in the world was spending millions of dollars in encouraging the major car producers to locate green and hybrid car technology in their country.
Mr Roe said that Australia was well positioned to create opportunities for local industries from the manufacturing of hybrid cars and broader green technology.
“The Australian car manufacturing industry had provided tens of thousands of good jobs for the economy, created important secondary industries and provided the backbone of a local manufacturing sector.
“The opportunity for Australia to become part of the global manufacturing sector by leading research and development in green and hybrid car technology is too important to miss. “
“If Toyota commits to building a hybrid car in Melbourne, the Federal Government should be taking the opportunity not just to support this endeavor, but to see it as an opportunity to lift the locally produced parts content of the car and to provide leadership for the secondary industries that green car technology will need,” said Mr Roe.
Mr Roe also said that the Federal Government had a responsibility to live up to their pre-election promise to support and develop Australian manufacturing.
“The manufacturing sector is vital to any nation’s economy. It provides skills and training for thousands of workers, encourages research and development, promotes innovation, and provides economic security and independence.”
“The opportunities in green car technology are too important to miss, and may well provide the building blocks for the growth of Australia’s manufacturing industry.
“Innovation in green cars and related technology will be located overseas unless there is Government intervention and support and without more sustainable local production thousands of quality Australian jobs are at risk.” Mr Roe said.