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New poll shows Turnbull losing shine with voters
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's popularity continues to slide putting Labor in an election winning position.
PT1M56S 620 349- Federal election 2016: Full coverage
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Carbon Revolution was the dream factory visit for Malcolm Turnbull.
The well-planned visit to the Geelong business came complete with high-vis jacket photo opportunity and a chance to get excited.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lifted a 7.3kg carbon fibre wheel during a visit to Carbon Revolution in Geelong on Tuesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
The business manufactures the world's first one-piece carbon-fibre car wheels using modern technology and advanced manufacturing – it has been successfully exporting its product to the world.
"What's so exciting about this is that it that this is the world's best technology. How proud do you feel?" Prime Minister Turnbull asked staff on Tuesday.
The technology has made cars go faster, run more efficiently.
Mr Turnbull at Carbon Revolution in Geelong. Photo: Andrew Meares
Efficient. Tick.
Innovation. Tick.
Jobs. Tick.
Mr Turnbull lifts a 7.3 kilogram carbon fiber wheel at Carbon Revolution. Photo: Andrew Meares
Growth. Tick.
The centre, based at Deakin University in Geelong, falls in the heart of Corangamite, the seat most pundits see as most at risk for the Liberals in Victoria. On Tuesday, it became the epicentre of Prime Ministerial excitement.
There were no campaign cliche babies to kiss, but hoisting the wheel the Prime Minister was relaxed, much more so than his fleeting visit to the Anglesea Surf Life Saving club to announce the next $60 million round of Mobile Phone Black Spot funds.
"Innovation, exports, technology, advanced manufacturing, jobs and growth. That's what it's all about," a pleased Prime Minister declared.
Liberal MP Sarah Henderson was as proud as punch to be showing the PM around the centre.
She highlighted the government's $5 million grant to help get Carbon Revolution rolling and importantly how it grew jobs in the seat.
A large slice of Carbon Revolution's growing staff have come from Alcoa and Ford who have shut or are closing their doors in Geelong.
Carbon Revolution is no stranger to political visits.
In fact, the centre has become a point of pilgrimage for politicians over the past few years.
Former Premier Denis Napthine frequently championed the business' work when grilled about job losses in the region and he held media events there.
And Tony Abbott was due to join Dr Napthine there in 2014 but cancelled because of pesky planned student protests.
There were no such problems for Mr Turnbull, who was driven into the centre sitting a top a hill at the back of the Waurn Ponds campus, far away from any students with an axe to grind.
