GILLARD OUT OF STEP WITH OWN MANUFACTURING ADVISERS ON 457 VISAS

07-March-2013

It has emerged today that Prime Minister Gillard is out of step with the chair of her own Manufacturing Leaders’ Group on 457 visas.

Comments by president of Boeing Australia, Ian Thomas, who chairs the Prime Minister’s own Manufacturing Leaders Group, in today’s Australian reveal manufacturers’ concerns regarding the mobility and flexibility of labour.

“Julia Gillard is so out of touch with the needs of Australian manufacturers that she’s even at odds with the head of her own Manufacturing Leaders’ Group,” said Sophie Mirabella, Shadow Minister for Industry, today.

“Australian manufacturing is struggling under the burden of Labor’s record of policy bungles and backflips, and the Prime Minister’s comments have created even further uncertainty over future personnel decisions.

“This is a cynical and hypocritical campaign being waged by Prime Minister Gillard.

“When will this Labor Government start to listen to the serious concerns of Australia’s manufacturers about the terrible damage that the Government’s policies are doing to the manufacturing sector?

“Our manufacturers need certainty and they need stability.

“The Coalition has a clear plan to provide a stable Government and strong economy. We will repeal the carbon tax, cut red tape compliance costs by at least $1 billion, reduce government waste and provide businesses with the certainty they need to prosper,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.