Ford job losses prompt Premier’s ‘special taskforce’

Premier Denis Napthine has announced he will lead a “special taskforce” to generate new job opportunities for Geelong in the wake of this week’s Ford announcement.
Dr Napthine said the taskforce would work to “diversify economies, build confidence and encourage investment in Geelong” and northern Melbourne, where Ford jobs will also be lost when the company closes its Australian manufacturing facilities in 2016.
The taskforce was in addition to a $52 million joint Commonwealth and State Government jobs package announced yesterday, he said.
“As Premier, I will lead this taskforce, which is dedicated to ensuring the people affected by Ford’s decision are provided with every opportunity to take up new jobs and new business opportunities.
“As part of the initiative, the Coalition Government will sponsor a Jobs Summit in Geelong next month, bringing together key stakeholders from the region to debate issues and challenges while identifying the opportunities to diversify our industries and generate new employment options in areas that will be strong now, and into the future.
Dr Napthine said the taskforce would also include his three ministers for state development, manufacturing and higher education and skills.
“There are challenges in the manufacturing industry but there are also significant opportunities,” he said.
“Already, only part-way through the first round of our Greater Geelong Industry Fund, we have seen a significant number of jobs created in the advanced manufacturing sector by assisting firms to innovate, develop new products and expand into new and emerging markets.
“This taskforce will identify and create many more similar success stories through the upcoming jobs summit and through our continuing program of international trade missions to expanding markets.
“We will also continue to lead the charge to secure Geelong as the headquarters of the National Disability Insurance Agency, which will bring 500 new jobs to the region, and for the East-West Link, which will create 3200 jobs in Melbourne.”