Where is Tony Abbott on Caterpillar jobs?

Labor Leader Bryan Green has urged Premier Will Hodgman to put the future of the 280 jobs at Caterpillar in Burnie on the table at tomorrow’s COAG meeting.

“This is an issue of national significance for our manufacturing industry,” Mr Green said.

Mr Green has written to both Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten calling for a bipartisan approach.

“Will Hodgman, Brett Whiteley and Employment Minister Eric Abetz should not give up so easily in the fight to save the jobs at Caterpillar.

“Labor has never said that throwing money at the problem is the only option. We need to understand from Caterpillar what it will take to keep these jobs here and it owes a better explanation.

“Now it is up to the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to intervene and Labor is willing to join with him.

“To date Tony Abbott has been nowhere to be seen or heard over this issue.

“Federal Labor Leader Bill Shorten has offered to work with Mr Abbott but so far his approach has fallen on deaf ears.

“It is simply not good enough for the Prime Minister to ignore an issue of such importance to the nation.

“Caterpillar’s decision to move jobs from its profitable Burnie operation to Thailand is a tipping point not only for our region but for manufacturing around Australia.

“It time for Tony Abbott to join the debate and engage with Caterpillar’s management at the highest level to fight for these jobs here”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader