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

[*crikey*mate*]

yeah, but the majority of people get to pick which side of the divide they're on, eh?

[*crikey*mate*]

Google Brett Pointon

started life as a country boy in country qld.

did go on to become a teacher, but decided on a different path and started as the man employed by holiday units who gets called on to change light bulbs etc....

His sister - Tammi Pointon (I believe that Gil from these boards has met her) - left school before the end of grade 10 - single mum.

approached holiday accommodation places and asked for a fee if she telephoned canvassed people to get their rooms filled (yes - the invention of telemarketing)

borrowed the money to get her phone put on in her one room apartment - worked from home around her baby - last I heard she was worth $33 million.....

a lot more inbetween to get there - but it all amounted to sheer guts, determination and imagination to want something more than she had.

[*crikey*mate*]

Gordon Merchant started out making board shorts on his kitchen table , then giving them to his water polo mates foir free to promote his brand.... You may be familiar with the label Billabong?

[freakiness]

No, they don't always.

What's with all the eh?s 

You just refuse to get it that it's not easy for everyone who has their life turned upside down by redundancies. And it's not just about their motivation level.

[lakeland27]

Google Brett Pointon

started life as a country boy in country qld.

did go on to become a teacher, but decided on a different path and started as the man employed by holiday units who gets called on to change light bulbs etc....

His sister - Tammi Pointon (I believe that Gil from these boards has met her) - left school before the end of grade 10 - single mum.

approached holiday accommodation places and asked for a fee if she telephoned canvassed people to get their rooms filled (yes - the invention of telemarketing)

borrowed the money to get her phone put on in her one room apartment - worked from home around her baby - last I heard she was worth $33 million.....

a lot more inbetween to get there - but it all amounted to sheer guts, determination and imagination to want something more than she had.

rags to riches stories sound good because they are so rare. get real,.

[izabsmiling]

I don't know how people can know that others aren't trying just as they did/do ?

Crikey, If your husband works 3 jobs (75hrs a week), you study and run several businesses,help out in the catering/food industry ...I don't envy that.I feel sad about it  ... kids are only young once and none of us know how long we have.My X died at 52 ...I think work/family balance is important and pays off for everyone.

[*crikey*mate*]

No, they don't always.

What's with all the eh?s 

You just refuse to get it that it's not easy for everyone who has their life turned upside down by redundancies. And it's not just about their motivation level.

I have never, ever said it was easy Freaky - but even you have to admit that for many it is about motivation levels - just look at what you have done to achieve what you needed to do.

LL - the point is - if people just try to think outside the square or take/make opportunities rather than excuses for why they can't do something - that's what those 3 people had in common - a drive - obviously not everyone is going to reach those heights (sheesh - I'm related to two of those people and the other is a good friend of my OH's and I haven't managed to capture even a portion of what they have)

Iza - we do what we have to do to get what we need/want - and you need to reread what we do, as what you've written is how lies get started  - yeah, work/family balance is important, I agree - but you have to be ablwe to pay for the family and as we are able to work, we have no need to rely on welfare - it's not up to the government to give me money so I can take life a bit easier.....

[izabsmiling]

it's not up to the government to give me money so I can take life a bit easier...

who thinks it is ?

or is that the way you personally view people on welfare ?

[izabsmiling]

Nathan Tinkler went from rags to riches.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/20/business/australia-billionaire

Rags-to-riches billionaire's debt woes mount

By Monica Attard, for CNN November 23, 2012

CNN) --

Nine years ago he was an electrician. Six months ago, he was worth some A$1.18 billion ($1.22 billion) Australia's mining boom having turned him into the country's richest person under 40 years old.

Now, coal baron Nathan Tinkler, 36, is facing a mountain of debt. His wealth has plummeted to A$400 million, thanks to slowing demand and falling coal prices, while his debts to a variety of creditors mount, reportedly hitting A$638 million. On Tuesday, his personal holding company was liquidated.

Tinkler has had the Midas touch on his way to the top of the rich list and -- until Tuesday -- on the way down, too, staving off the liquidation of several of his companies. He now faces credit debt surrounding his horse racing empire, troubled sports franchises and repossession of his personal jet.

While creditors have been circling for months, it was a Tuesdaydecision of the New South Wales Supreme Court to wind up Tinkler's Mulsanne Resources over an unpaid...

[*crikey*mate*]

it's not up to the government to give me money so I can take life a bit easier...

who thinks it is ?

or is that the way you personally view people on welfare ?

you really should re read this thread and determine what I actually have said -