In concerning news for thousands of workers and growers dependent on the viability of SPC
Ardmona in Shepparton, Canberra bureaucrats quizzed by Victorian Nationals Senator
Bridget McKenzie in Budget Estimates hearings on Tuesday confirmed the Gillard
Government has no real plans to give the industry a hand up.
“It is clear that some workers are more equal than others under Labor: making cars is a job
much more worthy of government attention than making food,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Productivity Commission’s annual Trade and Assistance Review measures the rate of
government assistance on outputs by industry grouping. The most recent report calculates
assistance for food manufacturing at just 3.4% compared to 8.5% for the manufacturing of
cars.”
“The Australian food processing industry is in crisis for similar reasons as the automotive
industry and it should therefore be eligible for similar support, yet it is not even on the
Government’s radar.”
“The officials could quote song and verse about the handouts for the automotive industry,
but didn’t have a clue when it came to food processing.”
“This is despite the food and grocery industry being Australia’s largest manufacturing sector
employing over 312,000 people or more than a quarter of the total Australian manufacturing
work force.
“Department officials could not inform the committee of the Government’s plans in relation
to the following 774 recent food processing job losses:
150 jobs gone from Golden Circle in Brisbane;
70 at Gourmet Foods/Rosella;
70 from Windsor Farms, Cowra;
140 from Mondello potato processing;
50 from SP Exports (tomatoes);
46 from Grain Products Australia;
64 from Murray-Goulburn Milk Drying; and
184 from Golden Circle in Girgarre and Wagga Wagga.”
“Even more worryingly, four weeks have passed since the Prime Minister assured SPC
Ardmona workers that the company’s application for protection against unfair imports would
be given “serious consideration”, they are still waiting for useful action.”
“The fruit processing case is being passed around from minister to department to minister
like an unwanted gift, while the hollowmen of Canberra plot ever more expensive compo
schemes for Ford’s hit and run,” Senator McKenzie concluded.
Contact: Kathleen Tonini 0400530027