Truss Hockey and Abbott to Manufacture Unemployment

In parliament today Tanya Plibersek accused the government of getting "exactly what it wanted" and bullying Holden out of Australia.

Ms Plibersek referred to the letter sent by Mr Truss on Tuesday to Mr Devereux, in which the Acting Prime Minister urged Holden to "immediately" clarify its intentions.

The letter was "designed for political consumption rather than being a genuine effort to communicate," Ms Plibersek said.

"Hasn't the government got exactly what it wanted and won't Australia's workers pay for their failure?" she added.

The AMWU is calling on all union members and the Australian public to sign an online petition demanding that Prime Minister Abbott and Industry Minister Macfarlane act now to save our car industry.

The petition has been launched via the Make Australia campaign site and with the assistance of change.org.

The Coalition Government continues to refuse to provide the car industry certainty over co-investment funding meaning Holden is unable to commit to manufacturing here in the future.

Should Holden leave, Toyota would certainly follow which would then see the collapse of hundreds of auto component makers.

The domino affect across the industry could result in tens of thousands of jobs being lost and a massive $21.5 billion hole in our economy.

The AMWU is calling on the Coalition to stop playing politics with so many people’s livelihoods and a sector of enormous importance to Australia’s manufacturing capability and future.

“The current state of play is as serious as it gets,” said AMWU National Secretary, Paul Bastian.

“Holden have repeatedly warned that they will go unless the Government provides assurance on co-investment funding”

“In return, Holden will invest $1 billion in capital expenditure and continue to make cars here at least until 2022.”

“Toyota too need assurances about the Government’s willingness to back future car plans. They have made clear that if Holden goes or if there is no assurance from Government they would find it very difficult to continue to manufacture here.”

“This is not a political play thing. It’s about real people, real jobs and whole communities,” said Mr. Bastian

Every member is urged to go to www.makeaustralia.org.au and follow the links to the petition where they can sign it online.