As part of the national vision it is essential to grow regional manufacturing

We need to support existing business, workers and communities to be innovative and competitive

To view my commitments to this area, please click here

Actions

• Supported the RSRT repeal bill to protect jobs and diversity in Indi’s trucking industry.

• Supported owner-drivers truckies to have their concerns about the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) Order to the Minister for Employment.

• Invited Minister Pyne to launch the National Innovation and Science Agenda - Innovation Roadshow in Indi. On 16 December 2015, Dept of Industry bought the Innovation Roadshow to Wodonga. Read Minister Pyne’s letter here

• Standing up for owner truck drivers and related groups affected by the ‘Minimum Payments’ Order by the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal. Called on the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash, and the Minister for Transport, Darren Chester, to investigate the effects of this.

• Secured commitment from Minister for Infrastructure & Regional Development to announce National Stronger Regions Fund successful projects in December

• Called upon the Minister for Infrastructure & Regional Development for greater support of farming, manufacturing and food production industries within Indi

• Supported the Government’s ideas on regional development, by supporting the potential relocation of the Rural Industries, Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) jobs to Wodonga. 

• Met with industry, unions, workers and other stakeholders in relation to the Government failing to renew Thales Munitions contract and provide job security for 550 workers 

• Called on the Government to expedite the Australian Defence Industries (Thales Munitions) contract process

• Worked with the Minister for Employment to expedite the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme (FEG) for former Bruck Textiles workers

• Held an economic development manufacturing forum with a focus on clean energy for business

• Hosting a series of food manufacturers forums to understand the issues in the sector, and to establish how Government can reduce red tape and help businesses grow

• Collaborated with Bruck Textiles liquidators to assist former workers with accessing payments and services

• Highlighted the community support in Parliament for the retrenched Bruck Textiles workforce

• In the wake of the actions of Bruck Textiles, called on the Government to tighten the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme and make it truly a last resort for entitlement payouts rather than a go to for many liquidating companies

• Raised a motion in the House to legalise industrial hemp for human consumption, with the independent Member for Dennison Andrew Wilkie

• Tabled a petition in Parliament from retrenched Bruck Textiles workers calling on the Government to pay workers' outstanding entitlements

• Wrote to Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Eric Abetz, asking for the FEG to be expedited for redundant Riband Steel workers 

• FEG payments made to redundant Riband Steel workers in December 2014