AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver congratulated the Prime Minister for her determination to help working people, their families and communities who have been devastated by the floods in Queensland, regional Victoria and NSW.

However, the union is concerned at the decision to cut important, job creating programs to save the budget surplus.

“The obsession with returning the Federal Budget to surplus is damaging industry and job creation programs which are all the more important to Australia’s economic recovery in the wake of the Queensland floods,” said Dave Oliver.

“The announced cuts to the Green Car Fund, Solar Flagships and other climate change based industry programs, are not in the long-term interests of Australia which needs strong, future-focussed industries.

“Australia cannot afford to cancel plans to help our industries gear up for 21st century environmental standards, and job opportunities such as manufacturing fuel efficient, hybrid, solar and electric cars.

“The Government should adapt the budget to the circumstances created by the Queensland floods, rather than altering the future of our economy to suit the nominal goal of a surplus.”

Australia has the smallest debt and the smallest budget deficit of any advanced OECD country.

“Australian manufacturing is already under pressure because of the high Aussie dollar and the last thing needed is the removal of any program designed to attract investment.”