Julia Gillard unveils $1 billion jobs creation plan

[not_an_eloi]

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made a pitch to blue-collar workers, unveiling details of the Government's new $1 billion jobs package.

The legislation is designed to improve the benefits Australian companies see from large-scale projects undertaken in the country. Ms Gillard says concerns have been raised that major projects undertaken by multi-nationals tend to lean towards using international suppliers and importing material and equipment.

Under the plan, large companies will be required by law to give local firms the opportunity to bid for contracts before they are sent offshore. "When there are projects worth more than $500 million, they will need to have an Australian industry participation plan," Ms Gillard told a press conference in Melbourne. "They will need to look to how they can involve Australian businesses and create Australian jobs in what they do." Ms Gillard says the plan is designed to keep the local manufacturing industry competitive despite the high Australian dollar and other economic pressures. "I believe that modern Australia can have a great blue-collar future," she said. "We can continue to be a manufacturing nation, we can be a nation in which people make their living through blue-collar jobs that aren't intermittent or insecure or low paid, blue-collar jobs that are highly skilled and highly paid. "But we aren't going to get there by accident. We have to make sure that we shape that future."

A series of new manufacturing precincts will also be established to develop new products and skills to break into new markets. Industry and Innovation Minister Greg Combet says the precincts are a key part of the plan. "A lot of our research effort in Australia is pure research and a lot of great research has been done," he said. "But we don't perform well by international comparisons in commercialising the research effort that we make in this country. "And I think one solution to that is to get industry far more active in directing the research effort we have." The Government predicts the plan will inject $1.6 billion into the economy. Ms Gillard says the plan will be funded by removing a tax concession for big businesses. "Bigger businesses currently benefiting for a special research and development tax advantage will be forgoing that advantage," she said. The national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Paul Bastian, says the jobs package largely reflects what it has been campaigning for. "We're now going to have in legislation that any project worth more than $500 million in this country will be required to have an Australian industry participation plan to show how those projects are giving our manufacturers the opportunity to bid on a fair and reasonable basis for work," he said. "That is a big tick for us."

followed by the usual negative fud from liberal's mirabella

[izabsmiling]

I didn't know this about your child Crikey 

[lakeland27]

Of course those people are working hard - but if whatever you're doing isn't producing the results you desire, then it makes sense to me to change what you're doing.

If one job doesn't earn you enough money - get two - or three if you need to

If you're restricted to the type of job you can do, then you work within those limits and explore ways to take advantage of the things you can do.

Ya don't sit on ya butt and whinge about how poor you are and come up with excuse after excuse why you can't change a situation just cos it's a bit inconvenient or might require some effort or sacrifice and then begrudge people who do overcome obstacles and grasp opportunities regardless of the sacrifice a new car or a holiday etc.

like i said 'old furphy' the hope that 'one day' . there are plenty of people who are under-employed and others who hold 3 jobs. that isn't a future that can sell. . young people will find very little if any hope in that scenario . i think you might find people would prefer one Full time job that pays enough to live to a decent standard. the 'old school values' you spoke of are dead . there arent enough jobs to go around.. and it will get worse with 457 tone and his sponsor gina .. they plan more o'seas workers not less.

[monman12]

LL: " its the old furphy. 'give them hope' (but nothing tangible or real)"
In an election period it is more like "give them honey" LL, from both sides.

Rather than 'colour' Pooh too much, perhaps my cynical view would be better: give (offer)
them greener grass  because many will not be bothered journeying to the other
side of the hill.

"/>

[*crikey*mate*]

like i said 'old furphy' the hope that 'one day' . there are plenty of people who are under-employed and others who hold 3 jobs. that isn't a future that can sell. Why? because people don't want to work? cops they've been watching tyhose mars bar ads where ya gotta have 8 hours work rest and play? . young people will find very little if any hope in that scenario . Yeah - cos they know they don't have to - they know that they can just fill in a few forms and get a couple more handouts.. i think you might find people would prefer one Full time job that pays enough to live to a decent standard. Well of course - I would - but everyone's definition of decent standard varies significantly. My OH is a waiter - how much money do you really think he earns in a week? But that's what he's qualified to do, he doesn't want to do anything else, so he works 2 jobs (for 8 years he also worked a third) and puts in about 75 hours a week to help make sure the kids have what they need (we have very high medical bills) - I also work, but I now work from home so that I can fit it in around my uni and kids etc the 'old school values' you spoke of are dead . only because there is very little insentive to pursue them these days - the irony is that when my kids were smaller, my OH would have been given $8 a week more on the dole than he got for his 40 hour week of work -  but we chose a different lifestyle cos we wanted more than that afforded us to do  there arent enough jobs to go around.. I don't believe that - you might have to relocate, you might have to retrain, but for a healthy person, there is always work if they are prepared to work.  and it will get worse with 457 tone and his sponsor gina .. they plan more o'seas workers not less. So train in a job where there are vacancies - i did a sociology course once designed mainly for people wanting to become teachers - I can still recall the shock I felt when the lecturer announced - if this not your true passion - get out now - there are no jobs waiting for most of you in 4 years time in Primary education in Qld. Of the 470 enrolled in that degree - there are still about 420 of them there 4 years later LOL

[lakeland27]

so you believe there are enough jobs to go around. time for you to back that up with some data . facts. i look forward to them. a long -winded post won't suffice.. it needs content.

[monman12]

CM: "......there arent enough jobs to go around.. I don't believe that - you might have to relocate, you might have to retrain, but for a healthy person, there is always work if they are prepared to work."

Nonsense, that has never been the case CM

ABS
"In Nov 2012 Job Vacancies, Total and Private sector totalled 169,900."
"The number of people unemployed was 659,600 in January 2013,"

[sprinklespowerpuff]

There hasn't been anywhere near enough jobs to go around for a lot of years now especially if you have any age on you. Try giving someone who's 40 plus years seeking work the off-hand comment that "there's plenty of jobs". Utter rubbish.

[freakiness]

Oh and it wasn't me who BP'd you.

Why would I have thought it was you?

Do you post them?

[icyfroth]

Why would I have thought it was you?

just sayin' in case you do

Do you post them?

Post what?

[*crikey*mate*]

CM: "......there arent enough jobs to go around.. I don't believe that - you might have to relocate, you might have to retrain, but for a healthy person, there is always work if they are prepared to work."

Nonsense, that has never been the case CM

ABS
"In Nov 2012 Job Vacancies, Total and Private sector totalled 169,900."
"The number of people unemployed was 659,600 in January 2013,"

yes, but why were they unemployed? 700,000 healthy employable people unable to find jobs? or are there some other categories in there?

John, I acknowlkedge that you're the facts and figures experts, but whenever I've needed a job, I've found one, whenever my husband has needed a job, he found one, whenever one of my kids wanted a job, they found one. Sure, there were times when the jobs weren't always the dream job and were just a fill in till you got the one you wanted - and sure, sometimes some were a little inconvenient and meant making some sacrifices (such as moving to the other side of the state) but there have always been jobs.