SPC Ardmona Restructure sees the loss of 150 local jobs
August 9, 2011
SPC Ardmona Restructure sees the loss of 150 local jobs
“Today we received the sad news that the SPC Ardmona cannery in Mooroopna will close however the production of their premium packaged fruit and vegetable products will continue as normal at Shepparton and Kyabram.” Federal Member for Murray Dr Sharman Stone said.
“This loss of 150 local jobs is a bitter blow for Mooroopna and something the Gillard Government should look at very, very carefully because we do the most beautiful food production in the world. Clean, green and fresh, the finest product; how, as a government, could you not want to support this industry all the way?
“While Coca Cola Amatil is stating that all Mooroopna employees will be offered alternative employment opportunities within the parent company else where in Australia, this could see more jobs leaving the Goulburn Valley. Obviously any family loss is a bitter blow for our medium and small size communities.
“It’s good news however that employment will continue in Shepparton and Kyabram and let’s hope alternative local jobs can be found for the Mooroopna work force. It would be very sad to lose these wonderful local families.” Dr Stone said.
“We can understand they do have to take those offers, but would much rather they are redeployed within the Goulburn Valley.
“The loss of SPC Ardmona is a wakeup call to the Federal Government. It’s just not SPC Ardmona or Coca Cola Amatil, we had the announcement that Heinz in Girgarre will be moving to New Zealand.
“So it’s terribly important that lessons are learned; that there are things that are out of our control like drought, flood, grasshoppers, but there are things that we can do properly in terms of government policy. We have a marvellous opportunity in the Goulburn Valley to grow food – don’t take our water away, don’t make our work force inflexible, don’t bring in this carbon tax, give us a break.
“We must make sure the market power exercised by Coles and Woolworths does not squeeze out local manufacturers competing against cheap food imports, not subject to Australia’s high quality standards." Dr Stone said.
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