Tony Abbott’s plan to gut programs like Enterprise Connect centres will hurt innovation, employment and small business, the leaders of the AWU-AMWU Manufacturing Alliance warned today.
 
The Manufacturing Alliance Unions believe that the Abbott Coaltion’s policies will put around 100 000 manufacturing jobs at risk.
 
“States like Queensland could see 18,400 jobs disappear while in NSW up to 30,000 jobs could disappear.
 
 “Tony Abbott’s  ideological hatred of government programs will see him kill off  important assistance to our manufacturing sector,” Paul Howes, the AWU National Secretary, warned.
 
These companies have used the Federal Government’s Enterprise Connect program successfully to keep afloat during tough economic times, Dave Oliver, AMWU National Secretary said.
 
 “It is economic vandalism to close down a quality program which has supported over 3000 small and middle-sized manufacturing companies across the country – ensuring they survived through tough economic times,” Dave Oliver said.
 
“Had these companies gone under not only would thousands of jobs have disappeared but the capital investment in these places would have probably been lost to Australia forever.
 
“Tony Abbott is not committed to keeping Australia a country that makes things. He has never demonstrated any commitment to our manufacturing sector,” Dave Oliver said.
 
 “The Coalition’s policies and their record of losing 60 000 full-time manufacturing jobs during the boom from 2000-2007, are sending chills through the manufacturing industry – and are scaring working families who depend on the security of good jobs in our manufacturing sector,” Paul Howes said.
 
“Labor is committed to promoting good secure jobs. The Coalition has never demonstrated any commitment to this sector.”