COMMENT: Noel Murphy
CANBERRA’S alleged failure to extend “one single dollar” to Alcoa workers facing the sack in two weeks has Geelong’s two federal MPs at each other’s throats.
Corio Labor MHR Richard Marles, bemoaning the tardiness of any Abbott Government dollars, or plans, to offset the 800 Alcoa losses — starting with 520 on August 1 – has been accused in Federal Parliament of “reckless and untruthful statements” by Corangamite Liberal MHR Sarah Henderson.
“Alcoa is closing its doors in only a few short weeks and we still have got not one single dollar or plan for how Geelong will cope with this flood of lost jobs,” Mr Marles told the Independent today, echoing comments he’s been making for some time.
But according to Ms Henderson, this was “blatantly untrue” and misleading the people of Geelong.
“As we have seen so often from Labor, don’t let the facts get in the way of this story,” she told parliament.
Ms Henderson spoke of “a wide range of programs to assist Alcoa workers” but when it came to specific spending was rather light on.
“Our government negotiated with Alcoa to contribute $9 million to its Point Henry workforce at this very difficult time, $5 million to the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund, and $4 million for skills and retraining,” she said.
“Full credit to Alcoa for making this investment which will help create the jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing and other new industries, and of course help their workforce directly.”
Not exactly government money, by the sounds of it.
“A number of weeks ago, I announced a half-a-million-dollar Geelong jobs package, which will see us roll out a range of local employment programs to assist Alcoa workers and Alcoa’s supply chain,” she continued.
Just one thing –no mention as to just when the Government “will” do so. Certainly nothing to put Mr Marles’s complaints to rest.
“We recently contributed $50,000 to the Geelong Jobs Fair, which provided direct assistance to Alcoa workers, some of whom I met on the day,” she said next.
Again, lacking in specificity, Mr Marles complaints still stand.
Ms Henderson cited also a $155 million growth fund and $3 billion to the East West Link, delivering 6000 jobs “and that is extremely good for Alcoa workers”.
For his part, Mr Marles said the Abbott Government should explain “ why the only plan for jobs they have is how to get rid of them”.
As for blatant untruths and misleading Geelong, well, a few more facts might help resolve those claims.
Also when, where and how …
