By NOEL MURPHY
THE Liberal party has slammed a full-page ad promoting Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s job support for Ford workers as taxpayer-financed political advertising.
South Barwon Liberal party campaign manager Angelo Kakouros said similar advertisements for the Government’s about-face on Barwon Health funding cuts, which blamed the Liberal State Government, were also tax-funded political advertising.
“She could be using that money to actually assist Ford workers and their families,” Mr Kakouros said.
“The hospital issue was a very good example. She (the Prime Minister) creates all this angst in the local community, points the finger at everyone but her own government, and then all of a sudden comes in as some knight in shining armour, all in order to further her self-interest.”
A spokesperson for Ms Gillard said the impending Ford sackings were “not an issue for political point-scoring”.
“We know that Ford Australia’s announcement has caused a lot of anxiety for workers in Geelong. We wanted to reassure workers and the local community in Geelong that we are there for them.
“The Australian and Victorian Governments are working together to do everything we can to look after Ford workers and the local community, including contributing almost $40 million to structural adjustment programs to support the economic development and diversification of the Geelong and northern Melbourne regions.”
