LOCAL LABOR DOESN’T CARE ABOUT BRUCK AND LOCAL JOBS
17-June-2010
Having spoken with the CEO of Bruck, I am very concerned about the inexcusable delay by the Government in awarding Defence contracts. This delay may jeopardise local jobs.
When the announcement that Defence camouflage fabric would be sourced from Wangaratta was re-made 2 weeks ago, it was welcomed but old news. The announcement had been made in February, as had been explained by Bruck CEO, Alan Williamson last week.
I’ve spoken with the CEO of Bruck and he has reiterated his concern that other Defence tenders for which Bruck has bid are not coming down the pipeline. It seems political games are being played and Bruck management feels unfairly and aggressively targeted by some in the Government for doing what? Alerting all concerned, via the correct confidential channels, of the pending Chinese option disaster, a point reiterated in Senate Estimates last week by the CEO of the DMO himself who praised Alan Williamson. Unfortunately, it appears that the tender process is turning very political. This is against the interests of the local economy and jobs and against the national interest.
I am concerned that if the Government doesn’t stop playing games, there may be layoffs at Bruck by the end of the year. The Labor party may not care, but I do because I live in this town and as a nation we should be rewarding not punishing a successful and innovative business.
Only a couple of weeks ago, the Labor candidate in Indi welcomed the old news that camouflage fabric would be sourced from Bruck. She said that this would “provide security for Bruck workers”.
How is it that:
- Only a week later the CEO of Bruck was concerned about the future at Bruck due to a slow Government tender process when he said: “We are scrambling through the numbers, and I don’t like what I see for 2011.”
- Only a few months ago the Labor candidate didn’t seem too concerned if the contract for camouflage fabric went to China when she aid: “It was a competitive contract...a small portion of it will be made in China”. In relation to job losses in Wangaratta she said: “I can’t confirm or deny that”. She went on to say that she didn’t see a need for defence to be exempt from cuts in Government spending: “I don’t see why they (defence) really should be...where the dollars go, is where the dollars go” - even if those dollars go to China. So much for supporting jobs in Wangaratta.
How can the Labor candidate claim sustainability of jobs at Bruck when she has been contradicted by the Bruck CEO. Either she doesn’t know what is really going on in Wangaratta or she has information that even the CEO of Bruck has no knowledge of. She hasn’t even bothered to speak to Bruck about their latest concerns but makes predictions about jobs at Bruck.
First she says it is OK for a portion of the camouflage fabric to be made in China and refuses to stand up for local jobs – now she is saying the Government contract going to Bruck is good news for Bruck. Why doesn’t she bother to speak to such a significant employer in Wangaratta so she can get her facts right.
I will continue speaking to Bruck to try and resolve this serious issue of delays in the awarding of Defence tenders and look forward to the visit by the Shadow Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston on June 30.
Bruck is a national and world innovator, and should not be punished for standing up for itself and local jobs against Chinese jobs. It’s time Minister Combet visited Bruck to see the world leading innovation here in Wangaratta. Even if he isn’t interested in local jobs, he should be more interested in an Australian business that is at the forefront of its industry.
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