3 September 2011
A NATIONALS senator has a renewed enthusiasm for the nation’s manufacturing industry after touring Thales in Bendigo.
Senator Bridget McKenzie this week met with Thales staff and management and inspected its production line.
“I just think it is a great example of everything that is great about manufacturing in regional Victoria. It is a great story for Bendigo and for Australia,” she said.
Thales is yet to learn if it will win a government contract to build Bushmaster utes for the Australian Defence Force.
“Obviously there is a process in place, but like everybody in Bendigo, I look forward to a decision,” she said.
Gippsland-based Ms McKenzie picked Bendigo as the home for her electorate office.
She continued her fact-finding mission of the region with a trip to Castlemaine to meet with Mount Alexander Shire mayor Janet Cropley.
“That is part of what I am looking forward to doing more of,” Ms McKenzie said.