THE loss of 252 jobs in the coming months and possibly as many as another 170 by mid next year from the Wesley Vale and Burnie paper mills will come as a morale shattering blow to Tasmanians, and particularly those in the North-West and North, Liberal Senator Stephen Parry said today.
“This afternoon’s announcement by PaperlinX follows on the heels of McCain’s decision last month to close a Smithton factory, costing 200 jobs, and a major drawdown of the workforce at Caterpillar in Burnie earlier this year, which saw 280 forced redundancies,’’ Senator Parry said.
“In all three cases we are talking about export jobs, which bring money into the State and see a flow-on through the local community, creating more jobs.
“North-West Tasmania has become resilient in recent years in the face of downturns, but the mounting job losses of late are testing our morale and risk much of the positive advances the region has achieved.
“Tasmanians will expect immediate action from the state and federal governments, not only to support those workers who have lost their jobs but also the wider communities.
“Both governments should immediately reassess their infrastructure spending priorities to see if additional funds can be found for Tasmania, particularly in the North-West, in light of these recent job losses.
“Coming on the eve of Christmas makes this news even harder for the workers and families concerned, who I particularly feel for at this time.’’
Senator Stephen Parry Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate Liberal, Tasmania
