Car Union Should Follow AWU if One Job is Lost

18-May-2011

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers all agreed yesterday that the carbon tax will deeply hurt car manufacturing in Australia.

Now even the Federal Secretary of the AMWU Vehicle Division, Ian Jones, says in a release today that “the automotive industry is going through one of the most difficult periods in its long and proud history.” Presumably he therefore acknowledges that the last thing the car industry needs right now is a new cost to add to their difficulties.

Mr Jones should follow the lead of the AWU and Paul Howes and withdraw support for the carbon tax if one job is lost in the car industry.

Shamefully, Industry Minister Kim Carr has pulled at least $1.9 billion from the car industry since coming into Government on the back of massive promised support.

Mr Carr has previously made various claims about the danger for the manufacturing sector of a go-it-alone carbon tax:

“The Government recognises that the introduction of an emissions trading scheme before an effective international agreement is in place may affect the competitiveness of emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries in Australia. (1 Oct 2008)

“There is no point sending our industries overseas to less environmentally friendly locations. We will make a bigger contribution to the global effort by keeping industries here and exporting the new technologies they develop to reduce their emissions. (1 Oct 2008)

“The gravity of the challenge of climate change is too large for any one community or nation to deal with.” (10 Sept 2009)

but these have all proved to be hollow words.

“Even the AMWU’s Ian Jones agrees that it is a very tough time for car manufacturers. The last thing they need now is a Minister more interested in looking after the PM’s job than the jobs of thousands of manufacturing employees and businesses,” said Shadow Minister for Industry, Sophie Mirabella.