LABOR MUST MANUFACTURE SOLUTION TO CARR’S MESS
01-February-2011
Figures out today pointing to another decline in Australian manufacturing show Industry Minister Kim Carr is struggling again. This minister has been slapped down in recent cuts to his portfolio, and today we see more job josses in manufacturing. Australian Industry Group – PWC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index for January shows a fifth consecutive monthly contraction in manufacturing activity in Australia.
Today’s release of the
There has not been one single month of expansion in manufacturing since the Gillard government returned to office in September, and on Mr Carr’s watch, there have now been 21 separate monthly contractions, numerous plant and factory closures, and the loss of 87,300 manufacturing jobs over the last three years.
This news comes straight after revelations today about the lack of improvement in research performance in Australian universities, also the responsibility of Mr Carr.
"Mr Carr is angry and struggling to cope after having over $926 million cut from his portfolio this week by the Prime Minister," Mrs Mirabella said.
"All he has managed to achieve in his portfolio so far is to slash support for research and development activities and implement protectionist policies dressed up as green solutions.
"The Prime Minister has finally caught up with the Coalition on the need to dump some of Labor’s protectionist industry programs but as she did it she left one very angry minister hanging.
"With an angry Mr Carr clearly not coping, not able to do anything constructive for Australian manufacturing, it might be time for the PM to look at working more closely with him to help him get some results."