A campaign notice from Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr’s office has suggested that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government would help to secure over 600 jobs in North Western Tasmanian.
According to the notice, the Gillard Government, if re-elected at the federal election on 21 August, could secure 600 jobs at the Simplot vegetable processing plant by investing in a major upgrade of the plant in Tasmania.
The investment could also benefit the Tasmanian environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 39,000 tonnes a year, the announcement said.
The plant supports around 390 permanent jobs and 280 seasonal jobs in both Ulverstone and Devonport.
The Labor government claims providing funding to convert the Simplot vegetable processing plant in Ulverstone to more sustainable natural gas is a key part of their plan.
The project will cut the company’s energy bills by replacing coal boilers with a new natural gas fired cogeneration system to produce both electricity and steam.
The project will reporetedly benefit employees and the environment, by: supporting the hundreds of farmers, farm contractors, and service providers whose jobs and businesses depend on Simplot’s operations; and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 39,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off the road.
Federal Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom said employment was a priority issue in the local community.
“Many local families are already doing it tough with cost of living pressures and struggling to make ends meet each week,” Sidebottom said.
“The Gillard Labor Government is investing in Tasmanian businesses to help support local jobs and the regional economy.
“This includes rolling out the National Broadband Network, which will make our businesses more globally competitive, and providing tax breaks for small business.”