CARR STRIKING THE COLOURS OF AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING
25-August-2011
In international law a ship of war must fly its colours at the commencement of a hostile act. Such was the vim and vigour of the then Shadow Industry Minister, Kim Carr in 2007. On 13 September 2007 Senator Carr said:
“Labor understands that complacency is not an option. That is why Labor says that a national government must sit down with industry, roll up its sleeves and ensure that Australia can maintain a position of its own choosing in the international marketplace and not a position foisted on it by others. That is why it is absolutely a matter of urgency that national leadership be demonstrated, that we build upon the prosperity that we currently enjoy, that we ensure that that prosperity is sustained and that the growth in Australian manufacturing R&D increases rather than decreases”
The world must have been bracing for a flurry of offense from the admiral of manufacturing Senator Carr when he was appointed as Industry Manager shortly after making this statement.
But what has happened to this flurry of policy less than four years later?
- Green Car Innovation Fund – axed.
- Global Opportunities Program – axed.
- Cash for Clunkers – announced but never implemented.
- R&D Tax Concession – replaced by vastly inferior system.
- LPG Vehicle Scheme – significantly reduced.
- Commercial Ready – axed, then after an 18 month void replaced by inferior program.
- Carbon tax – will gut the Australian manufacturing sector.
People like Paul Howes, National Secretary of the AWU, said last night that Australian manufacturing is in its deepest crisis since the Great Depression. The Prime Minister he anointed has done nothing to plan for a positive future for Australian manufacturers.
The truth is the Gillard Government has never had a plan for the future of Australian manufacturing and has stricken Australia’s manufacturing colours in submission and surrender.