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By John Englart<\/a><\/p>\n 27 August 2013<\/p>\n In May Ford Australia announced closure in 2016<\/a> of its car manufacturing plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong which will result in the loss of about 1200 jobs when production stops. Car manufacturers have been subsidised by government handouts to entice them to continue manufacturing in Australia. In 2012 the Federal Government gave $34 million to Ford for production until “at least the end of 2016”. General Motors is also feeling the economic pinch in South Australia.<\/p>\n The loss of manufacturing and economic transition are not new to the residents of Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Manufacturing of whitegoods and the clothing industry has been taken offshore over the last 30 years, with all the social pain and dislocation that implies. The Ford closure will impact residents of Wills directly through loss of jobs, as well as affecting the many small auto parts businesses that supply Ford.<\/p>\n Kelvin Thomson explained<\/a> that reducing unemployment to a level where it is in accord with the state and national averages has been important. He has been involved directly in support of the local manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n We need to think about manufacturing for the future, taking into account issues which are only going to grow in scope: climate change, peak oil and the implications for future transport options.<\/p>\n I asked candidates how they think economic transition should occur using the very real example of the closure of Ford. Kelvin Thomson already has runs on the board on this issue, but the broader discussion of economic restructure and transition for the future is still an important one.<\/p>\n John Englart: I believe you’ve been involved in discussions over the future of the workers and the automotive small businesses? Can you give me some details?<\/b><\/p>\n Kelvin Thomson MP<\/b>: That’s right John. I held a forum in Fawkner in July bringing together the relevant players, the union, the automotive parts manufacturers, Northlink, Austrade, Aus Industry both departmental people and private sector people to talk about the options that are available for workers and companies, particularly the automotive suppliers because it would be very bad if Ford’s departure means that the parts, Ford’s component suppliers have to depart as well. I want to see an alternative future for them, whether it is supplying to other places in the automotive industry or in re-structuring and being involved in other manufacturing efforts.<\/p>\n We brought together the people with expertise and resources, we will be having follow up discussions. The Commonwealth government has put in $30 million, the state has put in $10 million, Ford has put in $10 million for restructuring and retraining very much focussed on the workforce to ensure there are opportunities for the workers to have a comprehensive plan. Work is being done on that and I’m pleased to see the Federal Government, State Government and the community working together to make sure that there are alternatives for workers in this area and that other industries are going ahead.<\/p>\n The forum that we had today [9 August], The Economic and Cultural Development Summit that Frank McGuire chaired today in Broadmeadows was significant in that regard too, because we had Victoria University, CSL and others talking about job and manufacturing opportunities in their areas. We had Melbourne Airport talking about their plans. They are keen on the Melbourne Metro and the rail connection to the airport as opposed to the tunnel.<\/p>\n Labor's New Car Plan for the 2020s will help protect about 600 local Wills jobs that rely on the car industry.
http:\/\/t.co\/ylInQTyh5Z<\/a><\/p>\n — Kelvin Thomson (@KelvinThomsonMP) August 21, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nKelvin Thomson on economic transition<\/h4>\n
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