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17 June, 2001During the period of the John Howard government in Australia, there has been a deficit of 275,000 jobs in manufacturing.
AUSTRALIA: The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) has launched a television campaign criticising the Howard government's record on manufacturing jobs. The advertisements depict a drowning man gasping for breath as a politician, walking along a pier, ignores his plight.
The advertisement says that 75,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost under the present prime minister, John Howard. "Now, more than ever, it's crucial that the Federal Government backs Australian manufacturing. There's too much at stake to just walk away."
The AMWU general secretary, Doug Cameron, said the Howard government promised to create 200,000 manufacturing jobs when it came to power. Instead, he said, during the government's incumbency there had been a manufacturing job deficit of 275,000 jobs.
"This is creating huge insecurity, huge problems for workers and their families as they lose jobs," he said.
"And it's going to be an ongoing problem for the Australian economy as we become more and more reliant on coal, wheat and iron ore, and we're simply seen overseas as a quarry, a farm and a nice place to visit."
Sources: The Age and the AMWU website
The advertisement says that 75,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost under the present prime minister, John Howard. "Now, more than ever, it's crucial that the Federal Government backs Australian manufacturing. There's too much at stake to just walk away."
The AMWU general secretary, Doug Cameron, said the Howard government promised to create 200,000 manufacturing jobs when it came to power. Instead, he said, during the government's incumbency there had been a manufacturing job deficit of 275,000 jobs.
"This is creating huge insecurity, huge problems for workers and their families as they lose jobs," he said.
"And it's going to be an ongoing problem for the Australian economy as we become more and more reliant on coal, wheat and iron ore, and we're simply seen overseas as a quarry, a farm and a nice place to visit."
Sources: The Age and the AMWU website