Extend the Investment Fund for workers.
Geelong Trades Hall is calling on the Federal and State Governments to increase and extend the Geelong Innovation and Investment Fund. Yesterday the Government announced the “final round” of funding to close in October this year.
Tim Gooden, Trades Hall Secretary, Said. “The investment fund is far too small, the government claims the first round only created 200 jobs. This is a long way short of the 1000 manufacturing jobs that Geelong has lost over the last 12 months. And now Ford announce 350 more jobs to go”
“It is becoming clear that business is not coping with ‘peak oil’, ‘climate change’ and so called free trade global competition. As a result of this inability to respond, workers and their families will suffer unless governments step in and take more responsibility for manufacturing jobs and social needs.”
“We need a plan that meets all our future needs, not just the needs of business in the short term. Free on-the-job retraining into sustainable industries, new clean energy infrastructure built now, and factories retooled for green manufacture. This is a big ask and it will require us all to work together but it has to be done. It is a lot bigger than a measly $12m hand out to a few small businesses can fix.” Gooden Said.
For further comment please contact Tim Gooden 0438 088 112
Friday, August 22, 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
