MP says give 'measly' $25m to SPC

Federal cabinet will discuss a proposal to co-invest in SPC Ardmona's fruit processing operations. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has used the rejection of taxpayer support for fruit processor SPC Ardmona to set an important "marker" for how his government will deal with requests for industry assistance.

The 93-year-old Victorian company wanted a $25 million federal grant, topped up by $25 million from the Victorian government and its own $150 million investment, for new product development and technology to prop up its operation.

But after three hours of debate in federal cabinet on Thursday, Mr Abbott said the plan was rejected because it was not the government's job to restructure a particular business.

The decision, which workers and growers fear will lead to the operation's closure, comes weeks after Holden's bid for support was rejected and its parent company General Motors announced the end of car production in Australia in 2017.

"The decision that came from the cabinet today does set an important marker," Mr Abbott said.

"This is a government which will make sure that the restructuring that some Australian businesses need, that some Australian sectors need, is led by business, as it should be."

The government's role was to create the right climate for business, he said.

Mr Abbott said SPC Ardmona - owned by food giant Coca-Cola Amatil - was a strong business with the resources to allow it to restructure.

The company advised the government it was prepared to invest an extra $161 million into the business and renegotiate its enterprise bargaining agreement.

Mr Abbott said the company's present EBA had conditions "well in excess of the award", including a wet allowance and generous redundancy provisions.

However SPC Ardmona managing director Peter Kelly said the company would review its business plans.

"This is an unexpected and extremely disappointing decision by the coalition, particularly after the enormous support we have received for our business plans from the local community and beyond," Mr Kelly said.

Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek said the government had failed in its fundamental role - to protect jobs and bring on new investment.

"First they forced General Motors Holden out - now they are sending SPC Ardmona to the wall," Ms Plibersek said.

Labor pledged at the 2013 federal election to provide the $25 million grant.

If the plant closes, it is estimated 1500 direct and 2700 indirect jobs could be lost in the Shepparton region.

Shepparton mayor Jenny Houlihan said workers faced an unknown future.

"The $25 million that the government refused to let go today will be eaten up in unemployment benefits," she said.

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union national secretary Paul Bastian said workers had been improving productivity, but other factors were affecting the business, such as the dumping of cheap imports and the high dollar.

"The government directly and indirectly subsidises mining, agriculture, finance, fisheries and other important Australian industries and yet it is continually cutting investment in manufacturing," Mr Bastian said.

"Soon, when we go to the supermarket ... there will be nothing left made in Australia."

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said if state premier Denis Napthine could not convince Mr Abbott to stump up $25 million for SPC Ardmona, he struggled to see how Dr Napthine could secure $300 million for Toyota as it considers its future.

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Police given bus CCTV after woman pinned

A woman has died in hospital after being pinned under a bus for two hours in Sydney's CBD. Source: AAP

AFTER the death of two pedestrians on the same day in Sydney, police are urging the public to be more careful crossing roads.

A 51-year-old Granville woman died on Wednesday night after being hit by a bus in Sydney's CBD. She was trapped in its axles for two hours before emergency services freed her and she died only hours after undergoing emergency surgery.

Earlier that day, an 83-year-old man died instantly when he was hit by a truck in Monterey in southern Sydney while crossing the road.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol operations commander Stuart Smith said the deaths were tragic.

"It was a dreadful day on NSW roads," he told reporters on Thursday.

Superintendent Smith said crash investigators are looking into both accidents, including CCTV footage from the State Transit bus as well as an examination of traffic and pedestrian control records.

"It's a complex calculation that can only be provided once a re-enactment is provided," he said.

Police say the bus was turning right when it struck the woman, and the 70-year-old driver was provided with counselling.

"We believe he is a very experienced driver with the State Transit Authority," Supt Smith said.

He could not comment on whether jaywalking was a factor in the accident but reminded pedestrians and drivers to look out for each other.

"It is a place where we all need to be aware and to keep a proper lookout," he said.

He warned people about the dangers of jaywalking and using electronic devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

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MP says give 'measly' $25m to SPC

Federal cabinet will discuss a proposal to co-invest in SPC Ardmona's fruit processing operations. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has used the rejection of taxpayer support for fruit processor SPC Ardmona to set an important "marker" for how his government will deal with requests for industry assistance.

The 93-year-old Victorian company wanted a $25 million federal grant, topped up by $25 million from the Victorian government and its own $150 million investment, for new product development and technology to prop up its operation.

But after three hours of debate in federal cabinet on Thursday, Mr Abbott said the plan was rejected because it was not the government's job to restructure a particular business.

The decision, which workers and growers fear will lead to the operation's closure, comes weeks after Holden's bid for support was rejected and its parent company General Motors announced the end of car production in Australia in 2017.

"The decision that came from the cabinet today does set an important marker," Mr Abbott said.

"This is a government which will make sure that the restructuring that some Australian businesses need, that some Australian sectors need, is led by business, as it should be."

The government's role was to create the right climate for business, he said.

Mr Abbott said SPC Ardmona - owned by food giant Coca-Cola Amatil - was a strong business with the resources to allow it to restructure.

The company advised the government it was prepared to invest an extra $161 million into the business and renegotiate its enterprise bargaining agreement.

Mr Abbott said the company's present EBA had conditions "well in excess of the award", including a wet allowance and generous redundancy provisions.

However SPC Ardmona managing director Peter Kelly said the company would review its business plans.

"This is an unexpected and extremely disappointing decision by the coalition, particularly after the enormous support we have received for our business plans from the local community and beyond," Mr Kelly said.

Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek said the government had failed in its fundamental role - to protect jobs and bring on new investment.

"First they forced General Motors Holden out - now they are sending SPC Ardmona to the wall," Ms Plibersek said.

Labor pledged at the 2013 federal election to provide the $25 million grant.

If the plant closes, it is estimated 1500 direct and 2700 indirect jobs could be lost in the Shepparton region.

Shepparton mayor Jenny Houlihan said workers faced an unknown future.

"The $25 million that the government refused to let go today will be eaten up in unemployment benefits," she said.

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union national secretary Paul Bastian said workers had been improving productivity, but other factors were affecting the business, such as the dumping of cheap imports and the high dollar.

"The government directly and indirectly subsidises mining, agriculture, finance, fisheries and other important Australian industries and yet it is continually cutting investment in manufacturing," Mr Bastian said.

"Soon, when we go to the supermarket ... there will be nothing left made in Australia."

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said if state premier Denis Napthine could not convince Mr Abbott to stump up $25 million for SPC Ardmona, he struggled to see how Dr Napthine could secure $300 million for Toyota as it considers its future.

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Police given bus CCTV after woman pinned

A woman has died in hospital after being pinned under a bus for two hours in Sydney's CBD. Source: AAP

AFTER the death of two pedestrians on the same day in Sydney, police are urging the public to be more careful crossing roads.

A 51-year-old Granville woman died on Wednesday night after being hit by a bus in Sydney's CBD. She was trapped in its axles for two hours before emergency services freed her and she died only hours after undergoing emergency surgery.

Earlier that day, an 83-year-old man died instantly when he was hit by a truck in Monterey in southern Sydney while crossing the road.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol operations commander Stuart Smith said the deaths were tragic.

"It was a dreadful day on NSW roads," he told reporters on Thursday.

Superintendent Smith said crash investigators are looking into both accidents, including CCTV footage from the State Transit bus as well as an examination of traffic and pedestrian control records.

"It's a complex calculation that can only be provided once a re-enactment is provided," he said.

Police say the bus was turning right when it struck the woman, and the 70-year-old driver was provided with counselling.

"We believe he is a very experienced driver with the State Transit Authority," Supt Smith said.

He could not comment on whether jaywalking was a factor in the accident but reminded pedestrians and drivers to look out for each other.

"It is a place where we all need to be aware and to keep a proper lookout," he said.

He warned people about the dangers of jaywalking and using electronic devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

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MP says give 'measly' $25m to SPC

Federal cabinet will discuss a proposal to co-invest in SPC Ardmona's fruit processing operations. Source: AAP

A LIBERAL MP has called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his cabinet to approve a $25 million handout to fruit processor SPC Ardmona, calling the decision a "no-brainer".

Backbencher Sharman Stone, whose Victorian electorate of Murray is home to the struggling company, says the "measly" assistance package will help support an industry in which Australia has a great natural advantage and which employs a large number of people.

"We are a country with magnificent climate, great soils, great orchards - for a measly $25 million in support," Dr Stone told ABC radio.

"I just see this as a no-brainer."

SPC wants $25 million each from the federal and Victorian governments to upgrade its product development facilities, topped up by $150 million from parent company Coca-Cola Amatil.

Federal cabinet will consider the request at its meeting on Thursday.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott does not appear enthusiastic about helping, saying earlier this week businesses need to put their own house in order. Treasurer Joe Hockey also appears opposed, saying Coca-Cola Amatil turned a half-year profit of more than $200 million and now wants taxpayer money.

But Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane is reportedly planning to argue in favour of the assistance.

And the coalition did promise $16 million to chocolate maker Cadbury during the election campaign.

Dr Stone said each case needed to be assessed on its merits.

"I certainly would be most concerned though if the same considerations weren't given to our own fruit manufacturing, Australian-owned company and one which has far bigger impact in terms of the numbers of people it employs," she said.

"You are not going to be able to kickstart our orchard industries once the bulldozers have finished their work."

Labor says the government's indecision on SPC is leaving Shepparton and the region without certainty or stability.

"Mr Abbott has already abandoned automotive manufacturing in Australia and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports, today we will see if he walks away from our food processing industry, too," Labor's industry spokesman Kim Carr said in a statement.

"The Abbott government has no plan, no new ideas when it comes to jobs and keeping Australians in work."

Senator Carr says the business case for the co-investment has been examined in detail and should be supported.

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said it is "un-Australian" of the government to allow domestic jobs to go offshore.

SPC's food processing is not just important to the manufacturing sector but also to farmers she said.

"If those jobs go offshore we lose that capacity for the future," she told reporters in Canberra.

"What's more un-Australian than allowing Australian jobs to go offshore?"

The $16 million promise to Cadbury was just "one company in one seat in Tasmania", not having a full plan to save food processing jobs.

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Police given bus CCTV after woman pinned

A woman has died in hospital after being pinned under a bus for two hours in Sydney's CBD. Source: AAP

AFTER the death of two pedestrians on the same day in Sydney, police are urging the public to be more careful crossing roads.

A 51-year-old Granville woman died on Wednesday night after being hit by a bus in Sydney's CBD. She was trapped in its axles for two hours before emergency services freed her and she died only hours after undergoing emergency surgery.

Earlier that day, an 83-year-old man died instantly when he was hit by a truck in Monterey in southern Sydney while crossing the road.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol operations commander Stuart Smith said the deaths were tragic.

"It was a dreadful day on NSW roads," he told reporters on Thursday.

Superintendent Smith said crash investigators are looking into both accidents, including CCTV footage from the State Transit bus as well as an examination of traffic and pedestrian control records.

"It's a complex calculation that can only be provided once a re-enactment is provided," he said.

Police say the bus was turning right when it struck the woman, and the 70-year-old driver was provided with counselling.

"We believe he is a very experienced driver with the State Transit Authority," Supt Smith said.

He could not comment on whether jaywalking was a factor in the accident but reminded pedestrians and drivers to look out for each other.

"It is a place where we all need to be aware and to keep a proper lookout," he said.

He warned people about the dangers of jaywalking and using electronic devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

11.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

US led push to dismantle Syria stockpile

PRESIDENT Barack Obama says it was American diplomacy and threat of force that has led to the plan to eliminate Syria's deadly stockpile of chemical weapons.

In his State of the Union speech Tuesday, Obama promised anew to support opposition groups that are fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country's three-year civil war.

He said the Syrian people deserve a future that is free of dictatorship, terror and fear.

The Obama administration threatened to strike Syria's government, but backed down, after an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack outside Damascus that the US said killed more than 1400 people.

The UN Security Council in September approved a resolution to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Labor hopeful takes on Bishop in Griffith

THE battle for Kevin Rudd's seat has become personal, with his replacement candidate trading barbs with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop about their work histories.

Ms Bishop was in the Brisbane-based seat of Griffith on Wednesday campaigning with Liberal National Party (LNP) hopeful Bill Glasson.

She fired the first salvo at Labor's Terri Butler, calling into question her history of union-related work after this week's allegations of criminal originations involvement with trade unions and the building industry.

"Bill Glasson's opponent is of the union movement," she told reporters.

"A former union organiser, a former union lawyer, she will have to toe the Labor Party line, and that is to prevent there being a proper inquiry into illegal, corrupt activities deep within the Labor movement."

But Ms Butler fired back, saying Labor had already implemented comprehensive union accountability laws and suggested Ms Bishop should worry about her own work history.

"Julie Bishop might want to talk about me being a union lawyer, but if she's a lawyer who has defended companies in respect of asbestos claims, I think perhaps she should think about whether she's prepared to talk about what her employers do," Ms Butler said.

"The allegations are about unions and employers, it's time we saw some balance from this government."

Ms Butler had her own heavyweight campaign support in the electorate in the form of opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese, who criticised the government's efforts on public transport.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be in Griffith on Saturday to officially launch Dr Glasson's campaign in the lead up to the February 8 poll.

Dr Glasson defended suggestions Mr Abbott had previously been "airbrushed" from his campaign material due to bad polling.

"The only person being airbrushed from this campaign is Kevin Rudd," he said.

"The only reason we're having this election is because of Mr Rudd - a man who promised to serve his full three-year term, a man who promised the world and delivered Christmas Island."

Mr Rudd defeated Dr Glasson on preferences during last year's general election, but later announced his retirement from parliament after the coalition came to power.

Sportingbet has given the by-election to Ms Butler, saying her odds have shortened from $1.55 to $1.10, while Dr Glasson's have ballooned from $2.40 to $6.

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Human remains found near croc attack site

Police continue their search for a 12-year-old boy taken by a crocodile in the Northern Territory. Source: AAP

HUMAN remains have been found near where a 12-year-old boy was taken by a crocodile in the Northern Territory.

Authorities have shot dead three crocs in the search for the reptile that snatched the boy while he was swimming with friends in a billabong west of Jabiru in the Kakadu National Park on Sunday.

Another boy, 15, was bitten but released by a croc during the attack.

Acting Police Commander Michael White says search teams have found human remains near where the boy was taken.

"(The evidence) strongly indicates the boy has died from the crocodile attack," Acting Commander White said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Further DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the identification.

"No specifics will be given in relation to the trauma or type of evidence located out of respect for the family. This is now an investigation for the Northern Territory Coroner and a brief will be prepared."

The boy's distraught family have been notified of the discovery.

Authorities have been shooting crocs and cutting open their stomachs open in the hope of recovering the boy's body.

Three crocs have been shot, one measuring 2.5m, while the other two were 4.3m and 4.7m long.

"If you know anything about crocs, they're some very big scary monsters," a police spokeswoman told AAP.

"There is no way, if those creatures got hold of you, that you'd be able to get away."

Police warned people to stay out of waterholes during the wet season.

"It's quite incredible the amount of rainfall that we have here in the Territory and the reality is there could be crocs in every water body," the spokeswoman said.

"Just don't go in."

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Man 'groped blind woman on train'

A BLIND woman has told a Sydney court she found two five cent coins between her breasts after being allegedly groped by a Bangladeshi refugee.

Holly Craig, 23, told Sydney's Central Local Court on Tuesday that Rubel Sheikh, 25, stopped her on the way to Ashfield train station in Sydney's inner west on July 17 last year and told her "adamantly" to take the lift to the platform.

Once the two were in the lift, Ms Craig, who is legally blind and uses a walking cane, said she felt something small drop between her breasts, followed by Sheikh allegedly saying in an "awkward" tone: "It is okay. It is very sexy."

She said Sheikh followed her up to the platform, into the train and then followed her once she got off at Gymea station, where she met her mother.

While she was waiting for the train at Ashfield, Ms Craig said she again felt something drop between her breasts.

She said that once she was on the train, she felt someone twice put their hand into her bra and touch her breast and touch her inner thigh.

The man allegedly told her it was "okay" and asked for a "goodbye kiss".

Ms Craig said she recognised the voice as the man who led her to the lift at Ashfield.

She said that later that night two five cent coins dropped out of her bra when she was changing into her pyjamas.

Sheikh was charged in August with twice indecently assaulting Ms Craig.

He had only been in Australia for a month when the incident occurred and he was on a bridging visa.

She told the court she didn't mention the incident to her mother that day, because they didn't have a good relationship, and instead reported it to the police later that night.

The court was shown CCTV footage appearing to show Ms Craig and Sheikh walking into a lift and onto a platform at Ashfield train station.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.

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Government to put unemployed to work

The government will reportedly expand the work-for-the-dole scheme introduced in the 1990s. Source: AAP

THE federal government's move to force the unemployed into a range of new community labour positions is akin to paying workers below the minimum wage, a welfare group says.

Revealing details of the coalition's planned work-for-the-dole expansion, Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker said Newstart recipients will complete tasks such as rubbish collection, park maintenance and stretch to gardening and painting at aged care facilities.

"We'll be releasing the implementation for Work-for-the-Dole in due course," Mr Hartsuyker told ABC Radio on Monday, adding that the changes would be introduced in a "measured and a methodical way".

He said the scheme would be compulsory and anyone who refused to work would lose their Newstart payment.

Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) policy director Jacqueline Phillips said the plans raised a number of questions and concerns.

"If there is a need for additional workers to meet the needs of local communities ... surely these positions should be paid for properly, not at Newstart rates of $35 a day ... well below the minimum wage," Ms Phillips told AAP.

She said Australia's experience with work-for-the-dole has shown it is "not very effective getting people into jobs" and instead promoted wage-subsidy schemes, from which almost half of participants are in paid employment after six months.

Such a policy will increase Australia's jobless rate, Labor MP Andrew Leigh said, referring to work-for-the-dole research conducted during the Howard government.

"It found that work-for-the-dole increased joblessness because it ended up diverting people from job-search activities into work-for-the-dole activities," Mr Leigh said of the Melbourne University study.

The ACTU went further with its criticism of the government's proposal, labelling it a "lazy and damaging policy solution".

"The government vision on jobs is to attack decent wages, encourage business to leave, deregulate the economy and now put pressure on the unemployed," union national president Ged Kearney said in a statement.

Mr Hartsuyker told News Corp that Prime Minister Tony Abbott was "very focused" on expanding the work-for-the-dole scheme and that the government takes a dim view of people who refuse a job and stay on benefits.

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Treasurer sets fed debt limit at $500bn

TREASURER Joe Hockey has given a directive to set Australia's debt limit at $500 billion, despite parliament voting to abolish the ceiling altogether.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said it was a classic example of the coalition saying one thing before the election and delivering the opposite after.

Mr Hockey's directive relating to government borrowing was officially gazetted on January 22.

"I direct that the maximum total face value of stock and securities that may be on issue is $500 billion," Mr Hockey states.

The directive expires on April 1, 2024.

A spokesman for Mr Hockey said it was in line with the legislation passed in December to abolish Labor's $300 billion debt ceiling and "satisfied funding and operation requirements".

The abolition of the debt limit was the result of a compromise with the Australian Greens, after Mr Hockey's initial attempt to legislate the $500 billion ceiling failed.

Mr Bowen told AAP on Monday the decision followed the extraordinary deal between the Liberals and the Greens to deliver the Greens' policy of no debt limit.

"Before the election Joe Hockey was against debt, now he can't get enough of it," Mr Bowen said.

"The Hockey-Milne deal on no debt limit has ensured the economic fringe dwellers are at the centre of economic policy and decision-making in this country.

"It doesn't matter what regulation Joe Hockey signs, this deal ensures he can run up unlimited government debt."

The mid-year economic review released last year forecast debt to rise from $310 billion in 2013/14 to $460 billion by 2016/17, and $667 billion by 2023/24 if the budget is not brought under control.

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