NORTH WEST MANUFACTURERS DESERVE BETTER THAN MORE HARD LABOR

01-October-2010

Friday October 1st 

Federal Member for Indi, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry & Science SOPHIE MIRABELLA  and Tasmanian Liberal Senator Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK - joint Media Release

The Labor Party is asleep at the wheel when it comes to helping businesses and safeguarding jobs in North West Tasmania.

Australian Industry Group - PricewaterhouseCoopers Performance of Manufacturers Index, which revealed further declines in manufacturing growth under the Federal Labor Government.

Senator Colbeck observed that this represented another worrying development for the people of the North West Coast, who have already been forced to watch a string of businesses scale back or close their operations during the past three years.

"Outstanding local manufacturing businesses have traditionally been the lifeblood of communities right across the region," said Senator Colbeck.

"But, even after three years of destroying this legacy and completely failing these enterprises, the Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom, and his Labor colleagues still have no plan to stop the rot.

"They need to outline a vision for North West Tasmania’s economic future as a matter of urgency."

That was the verdict of Shadow Industry Minister Sophie Mirabella following her visit today to the North West Coast with Shadow Parliamentary Secretary and Senator for Tasmania, Richard Colbeck.

In addition to attending the Burnie Show, the Shadow Minister visited Tascot Templeton and Australian Weaving Mills – two iconic local businesses that create world-class products but which are being shackled by the lack of a national vision for manufacturing.

"I greatly welcomed the opportunity to visit these firms (including to make my second visit to Tascot), and to witness first-hand their wonderful determination, enterprise and resilience at a time of considerable uncertainty," said Mrs Mirabella.

"The message that resonated throughout the visit was the need for better government policies, better targeted spending, and better understanding of the impact of national policies on regional industries.

"This was particularly true at Tascot Templeton – a company whose entire survival was jeopardised by Labor’s decision to alter a national standard for the installation of carpets in public buildings.

"I commend Senator Colbeck’s determination in fighting to overturn this absurd decision. He has helped protect the jobs of 200 hard-working Tasmanians."

Mrs Mirabella and Senator Colbeck’s tour of the region coincided with the release of the latest