Industrydave Smith, AMWU National Vehicle Secretary UNION TAKES ATS CAUSE to CANBERRA

NEWS

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING UNIONFriday 19 June Vol. 10 Issue 21 WORKERS’ UNION AUTO 09/12/2015 INDUSTRYDave Smith, AMWU National Vehicle Secretary UNION TAKES ATS CAUSE TO CANBERRA

ATS action: our Vehicles Division members met leading MPs including Labor’s industry spokesman Senator Kim Carr. (L:R) Murray Akehurst, Matt Crispe, Mick Spiteri, Senator Kim Carr, Tony Anderson, Marie Robb and National Secretary Dave Smith. MWU auto Six delegates joined The group led by Aindustry members AMWU officials at National Secretary have doorknocked the Parliament House to ask (Vehicles) Dave Smith offices of influential cross-bench Senators also met senior Labor MPs in Canberra to and the Greens to MPs to affirm that the explain why $800 support Automotive ALP National Conference Transformation Scheme million should be decision to re-direct the funds being extended used to help grow ATS funds to industry to 2021 to help parts- transition would be new jobs rather makers diversify implemented if they than be hoarded by into new products, won the upcoming Coalition Government encourage extra skills federal election. bean-counters. and minimize closures. Conitinued over page

Published by Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union 251 Queensberry St, Carlton Sth VIC 3053 Authorised by Dave Smith, AMWU National Vehicle Secretary email: [email protected] 1300 732 698 AUTO INDUSTRYUNION NEWS Industry Bulletin December, 2015 Issue 2 UNION TAKES ATS CAUSE TO CANBERRA .... from page 1. “Our day in Canberra Richard Di Natale, Adam South Australian Matt was well worthwhile, Bandt and Janet Rice as Crispe (Holden), with we were able to explain well as Palmer United’s Victorians Michael how crucial it was to our Senator Dio Wang and Spiteri and Daniel 15,000 auto members to independent Senator Wessley (Toyota) , Maria have the ATS broadened Jacqui Lambie. Robb (Toyota Boshokv) to help supply-chain South Australian and Tony Anderson firms. Our delegates got member Murray (Ford, Geelong). a very good hearing,” Mr Akehurst said the Mr Akehurst said: “We Smith said. aim was to get the were very impressed “The non-government criteria for ATS funding with the how receptive MPs we spoke to broadened beyond the both the cross-benchers seemed to understand supplying Australian- and the Opposition MPs that many workers based car makers, were, but unfortunately will need extra so that finance was no Government MPs training and skills available for firms to would meet us.” transition to supplying recognition if we are That included South global export markets to minimize the impact Australian MP and after Ford, Holden and of unemployment on Industry Minister Toyota stop production. vulnerable communities Christopher Pyne, who in South Australia and “We want to broaden has confirmed that Victoria when the motor that criteria so firms he will stop all ATS vehicle producers close.” can get the funds to re- funding in 2017, with AMWU economist Tom tool,” said the Holden leftover funds of up to Skladzien hosted a busy delegate. $800 million put into schedule including Mr Akehurst said consolidated revenue. meetings with Labor firms were finding Just $20 million was frontbenchers Tanya it tough to get bank allocated to auto supply Plibersek, Kim Carr, Tony finance because the chain diversification Burke, Penny Wong and Government was not by the Government South Australian industry offering any help and only $3 million of advocate Nick Champion. beyond the major car this was new money in Members also met makers finishing. response to the closures Greens including Leader Other delegates were of Toyota and Holden.