- Published:
- Friday 11 September 2015
The Andrews Labor Government has expressed its support for Ford workers in Victoria after the company confirmed its last car will roll off the production line on October 7, 2016.
Ford has confirmed that both the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants will close by the end of October next year, affecting around 800 workers. A small number of staff will be retained to decommission the plants.
Ford has assured the Labor Government there will be no early forced redundancies.
Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio is meeting representatives from Ford, unions and local auto supply chain companies in South Morang today to discuss the Labor Government’s $10.6 million fund to support the industry’s transition.
While the Labor Government is doing all it can to minimise the impact of these job losses, the Abbott Government has abandoned auto industry workers after presiding over the demise of Australia’s auto manufacturing industry.
The Labor Government is calling on the Abbott Government to:
- Restore the almost $800 million it has pocketed that was initially allocated to support the auto industry
- Match the Andrews Labor Government’s additional $18 million for the innovation and investment funds in Melbourne’s north and Geelong
The Labor Government will continue to support auto workers, invest in new industries and create new jobs.
The Labor Government has committed $100 million to the Back to Work scheme, $500 million for jobs and investment projects, $200 million for the Future Industries Fund, $200 million for the Regional Jobs Fund and an additional $18 million in the Melbourne’s North and Geelong Innovation and Investment Funds.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio
“Our thoughts are with Ford workers and their families.”
“The Andrews Labor Government will continue to stand by our auto industry workers, invest in new industries and create new jobs.”
“I am seeking an urgent meeting with Federal Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane to urge the Abbott Government to restore almost $800 million that was supposed to support the auto industry and to match the $18 million the Andrews Labor Government has committed to innovation and investment funds.”
“The Abbott Government has abandoned auto industry workers after its aggressive anti-industry stance forced Australian carmakers offshore.”