Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

No, across manufacturing. The ABS figures highlight the fact that since October—and I appreciate the ABS figures do move around from time to time—there has been a growth in the manufacturing sector. Even in the figures announced today there has been a growth of 0.4 per cent. I am sure Senator Ryan would be aware that a year-on-year comparison shows that across manufacturing there has been a growth of some 4.6 per cent. So despite the considerable number of redundancies that have been announced—they are matters of deep regret to the government—the overall situation in manufacturing is nowhere near the position of doom and gloom that those opposite have tried to peddle.

The truth of the matter is that there have been a number of jobs lost and that these losses are regrettable. However, the government have in place a range of measures to assist those workers who are directly affected and we will be moving to establish a comprehensive response with regard to the Bracks recommendations. These will provide an opportunity for the industry to transform itself still further, to allow this industry to be placed on a more sustainable, environmentally much more effective basis than it currently is.

The difficulties in the automotive components sector have been clearly canvassed in the Bracks review and, more generally, the worldwide and domestic economic conditions present a real challenge to industry at the moment. However, I remain optimistic about the future of manufacturing in the light of these challenges. My optimism is based on the fact that the government is going about the task of lifting education standards, improving access to skills and redeveloping national infrastructure and that the support we are providing to the industry will enable them to innovate and meet these challenges head-on. We are developing new approaches to engage industry and unions on a wide range of policy matters. This is a government that is focused on managing the economy to ensure that the operating environment is conducive to the long-term viability of manufacturing firms. Lowering inflation is critical to that objective.