Fed'l Gv't insults Arnott's workers

Date: 21 May 2001

21 May, 2001

The LHMU has spearheaded a community campaign against Arnott's Biscuits since the company decided to close down its Melbourne factory on 2 May, put 600 Victorians out of work and pull out of Victoria.

LHMU Assistant Secretary Terry Breheny said that comments by Federal Industry Minister, Senator Nick Minchin, reported on radio this morning were completely out of touch with community feeling and would reflect against the federal government at the next election.

" Nick Minchin has effectively labelled all Victorians who support the campaign against Arnott's as outrageous and ridiculous.

" This is because they support a campaign against a company that has decided to put 600 Victorians out of jobs for no good reason," said Mr Breheny.

" Perhaps Senator Minchin is unaware of the facts that lie behind the campaign.

· Is he aware that Arnott's made a $100 million profit last year? And that almost 70% of that profit went straight overseas?

· Is he aware that the Burwood factory is Arnott's most productive Australian plant?

· Does he support overseas ownership that causes 600 Victorian workers to lose their jobs?

· Is he aware that only 160 new jobs will be created at Arnott's other two plants in Brisbane and Sydney?

· Is he aware that job security is the most important issue of concern to Australian workers and their families? · And finally, does the federal government have an industry policy that promotes Australian manufacturing and Australian jobs, and does the federal government have an industry policy that prevents the states bidding against each other for industries to re-locate resulting in job losses?

" The LHMU does not oppose foreign investment in Australian companies, but it does oppose foreign takeovers of Australian companies that result in job losses for Australians

" Most Australians would share this view.

" Senator Minchin and the federal government are seriously out of touch with community sentiment on these issues.

" The Arnott's campaign, which includes a boycott of Arnott's products in Victoria, is having an effect on the company's bottom line, despite the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra advertising in Victoria,' said Mr Breheny.

" The LHMU will continue to campaign on these issues and will take its protest to Canberra in the coming weeks.

" Senator Minchin may dismiss it as ridiculous, but he will find out that Victorians do not take kindly to his remarks."

The LHMU proudly represents more than 150,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia.

Media contact

Terry Breheny 0425 755 902

or Clare Curran 0417 101 370

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