Media Release

Salvaging the Australian manufacturing industry will be a key focus for the Australian Party, announced Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today with newly-announced Senate candidate Glenn O’Rourke outside the Holden plant in Elizabeth SA.

“This state is about manufacturing. Yes there is also farming and mining, but this state is the manufacturing heartland of Australia,” said Mr Katter.

“Glenn and I stand here in front of the great story of Holden, which only two weeks ago shed another 500 jobs. It’s because of circumstances like this that we are here.

“We picked up the paper today and discovered that SPC has half closed all of its canneries, we turn the page and read that all of the grains industry in Australia will be taken over by foreign firms, we turn to the next page and read again that there is yet another round of closures, smashing agriculture in Australia.

“Every day of the week you pick up your paper and keep reading the same horrific truths... but you still keep voting for the ALP/LNP corporation.”

Mr Katter outlined how the manufacturing industry could be salvaged and thrive once again.

“It’s our focus to see that interest rates are brought down to be in line with the rest of the world. If you bring the interest rates down you bring the dollar down with it and that would mean the likes of Holden wouldn’t need propping up from the Government.

“We also want to see that all government vehicles, and every single car sold under a government contract, is Australian-made.

“It’s at the top of our list to see this industry restored to its former glory,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter said Mr O’Rourke had been incredibly successful in business, having owned and run the Australian College of Entertainment, fostering students of the ilk of singer Delta Goodrem.

Mr O’Rourke said his focus as a Senate candidate was for South Australia to lead Australia into a prosperous future, and called for candidates to nominate for the State and Federal elections.

“We need to get back to focusing on long-term vision for the nation,” said Mr O’Rourke.

“We need to get back to making decisions for this country that support the workers, the small business owners and the industries.

“We need to turn around and rebuild this nation based on Australians and Australian industry, and we need to become a global leader again rather than a dumping ground for international industries that operate here off the back of a high dollar with cheap products and cheap labour at the expense of Australians.

“In South Australia we need to underpin manufacturing and agriculture and we need to look after the families. We need to ensure that government policy is not ripping the heart out of Australian businesses”.