Call for national action to save Caterpillar jobs

Labor Leader Bryan Green is calling for action to help save jobs at Caterpillar in Burnie.

“We need to see urgent action from the State and Federal Liberal Governments to save these 280 highly skilled jobs.

“I refuse to accept that there is nothing that can be done at a state or federal level to keep caterpillar on the coast

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Federal Labor in calling on Tony Abbott and Will Hodgman to show some urgency and commitment to this issue.

“The Liberals approach will not save a single job at Caterpillar because they believe nothing can be done. This is woefully inadequate.

“This is a jobs crisis for the North-West Coast and we should not cop what Caterpillar is doing lying down.

“Caterpillar in Burnie is an efficient and profitable operation and the company must be held accountable.

“We are a microcosm of what’s happening in manufacturing right across Australia.

“As Tasmanians and as Australians we must stand up and fight for these jobs.

“The job losses at Caterpillar will have an enormous impact on the North West economy.

“We are still coming to grips with the massive flow-on affect of Caterpillar’s decision and the impact it will have on other businesses.

Mr Green said he was concerned the State Government and Federal Liberal Brett Whiteley have already given up.

“We have seen the loss of 1600 mining jobs on the West Coast in the past 12 months and jobs crisis is deepening.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader