Carr smashes 100K manufacturing job loss mark

17/06/11

Whilst Labor and the Greens can’t agree on the details of a toxic carbon tax, lost manufacturing jobs have hit a new record high of 105,000 since the start of 2008.

A total of 18,700 Australian manufacturing workers have lost their jobs just since February 2011 alone which is when Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the carbon tax.

This compares to the creation of 40,000 manufacturing jobs in the last year of the Howard Government, and expansion in manufacturing activity in 13 of its final 14 months in office.

Labor is creating uncertainty as it flounders on the details of a carbon tax, inhibiting investment and employment.

Besieged Industry Minister Kim Carr and his Labor colleagues are standing idly by as the manufacturing industry sits on the brink of devastation.

The number of Australians that have lost their jobs in manufacturing industries under Mr Carr now exceeds the number of people who fill the MCG on AFL Grand Final day.

Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly Statistics, May 2011 Cat. No 6291.0.55.003