Ford Australia announced that they are going to shut up shop in 2016.
There has been much anguish in the media and from blogs about how bad this is.
Everything and everyone has been blamed from the Carbon tax ,tariffs Government etc.
Ford are closing shop because they have failed (IN AUS at least) to keep up with the changing car market.
Not Many people these days want a big gas guzzling V8 or even a V6 that are more expensive, less fuel efficient and less well built than what you get from overseas markets and sold next door in dealerships and sometimes by the same dealerships.
I am mainly talking about cars that come from Asia now.
The stigma that Asian cars are somehow inferior is well and truly in the past. They are well-built, efficient, comfortable, and mainly much cheaper.
In effect, with the Asian cars you get very good value for your dollar. Stick with an Aussie build and you are paying for the name and get an inferior product.
We must face up to the fact that we do live in a global world now. People know it and spend their money wisely on what they get for their dollar – not some patriotic rubbish about buying Australian.
Buy Australian by all means if the product is as good and the same or close to quality but I am not going to buy a dearer, inferior product just because it is Australian .
So Ford announces in a very roundabout way that they are going to close manufacturing in Australia in 2016.
Approximately 1600 people will lose their jobs.
Sad, but at least they have had warning – and if past experiences are anything to go by, those workers will be offered incentives (i.e. cash) to stay with the company until it does close. Otherwise, everyone will be looking for another job and Ford may close earlier than expected due to lack of staff .
At least they have gotten a fair amount of warning that they are going to be out of work,
What about the people that turn up to their factory and find the gates locked by administrators? Or the bloke out driving long distance who gets a phone call 2000 ks from home saying you can go as far as what fuel you have left then find your own way home as the fuel cards will no longer work?
Where is the public angst ,media outrage and the political promises for these poor people?
Where is the cash for “retraining”? The counsellors to help them through? The extra payments so the PM or whoever is in power looks like they care?
The big companies when they go bust get all the media. But no one seems to care about the little companies.
This a failing of both major parties – Labor and the Coalition – and the announcement by the PM that the government is going to throw millions at 1600 workers that at least have 3 years before they are out of work is vote buying at its most obvious.
Doesn’t matter if it is Labor or the Libs – it is still wrong.
Both Ford and General Motors (the American owners of Holden) have sussed out that Australia is no longer a viable, profitable market for them.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
In my little way I used to buy exclusively American equipment, but have now purchased a European vehicle and am kicking myself that I didn’t buy one sooner.
Ingrained prejudices in industries are hard to break, but government bailing out old useless industries should stop.
THE PUB 
TheFinnigans天地有道人无道 @Thefinnigans 4m
@fitzhunter i used to have respect for you, now i pity you for the bitterness you cant let go
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Abbottstos Abbottstos @SpaceKidette 1m
@Thefinnigans @fitzhunter Worse, people out there today door knocking and you singlehandedly threw their dedication in their face.
Just to say I agree with those saying Joel Fitzgibbon’s a disgrace, a preening disgrace. He’d best enjoy his hour in the sun as no one will have any use for him should he get what is obviously his wish to see Labor defeated.
Saw this on a 9 news show along with a big Asbestos Beatup. Scouring the State, in fact the Nation, for asbestos alarm stories connected with Telstra which whether related or not were all rolled into an NBN frame.
Apologies to those who got there before me, but it occurred to me today that if you’re the beneficiary of near total media saturation as Abbott is, things change & what under other circumstances would be problems become advantages. Thus his completely contradictory policy platform becomes an advantage in that the favourable theme for the day can be run regardless of its interfering with other issues. Which for the moment don’t exist. Tomorrow, if necessary, they will again. Sort of another way of describing the Pepetual Present I suppose.
P.S. I bought a copy of The Monthly a week or two back with an article about Rudd’s destabilisation, & off hand I remember a line saying that “leadership speculation will be back whenever Murdoch’s editors decide” or similar. They’ve decided, & how refreshing, liberating it must feel for the mediaocracy as once again they’re freed from the distressing prospect of having to think about what an Abbott government might actually mean.
I’m fucking sick of it.
I do not understand why I want to be such a masochist to watch the Drum when you have the usual 2/3 of commentators beating up Labor. No mention of Morgan poll which is of 3 times the size of people polled and it does not show any shift. I am in Queensland and Can’t Do is definitely not popular so people should not lose heart. Murdock tried this in America in the lead up to US election his polling company had Rommey ahead.
Abbottstos @SpaceKidette now
Helping so called #Abbottstos victims at ADFA? I’m proud to say we avoided that at all costs and saved ourselves a bundle! #Abbottstos
Bugger it. Kim Carr is the leaker. What sort of loyalty do I owe him and his kind in the Labor Party?
It’s not the polls that are our concern at the moment. They are bad at 45-55 – I don’t regard the Newspoll one as credible, but it is by no means irreversible, especially with such a high ‘undecided’ or ‘others’,
And personally I don’t believe the primary of the LiB-NP can hold up for anything like 48 with the lack of credibility they carry. There is simply nothing to justify that level of confidence. So you ought to assume that at least 5 points of that primary is parked there because of the successful vilification of Gillard and her government and the media noise driving that.
It can and will go down. I’m sure the coalition knows that too, and it might explain why they’ve tried this early to rejig the image to positive and even attempt to reveal some policies. They know they’ve got to offer something of substance. Abbott’s been trying with those booklets, but there’s still not much beyond the slogans and platitudes.
No, the real concern is the weight of the opposing forces – far more money and resources – they’ll be able to saturate the airwaves. Labor will be very modest in comparison but they will get a bit from advertising NBN, Gonski, and Disability Australia, all of which are ‘government information’. But money will still be less. We’ve got to use it smarter vis social media and social networking. A lot of hard work.
C@tmomma, Mark, Brianmcisme, leone and all of the rest out there getting down and dirty … bravo! you’ve got the hardest and most thankless tasks. We can do it with persuasion and reason. But it’s a very hard grind. Our only comfort is that we are fighting for something that really matters. And we care enough about our country and our future. That will always beat paid shills when it comes to a crunch. We are fighting for our beliefs.
Cromwell’s lot won because their beliefs and commitments were stronger. So did the Irish after 1000 years. So did the Vietnamese against the mightiest armed machine we’d seen. Our belief can do it.
Abbottstos @SpaceKidette 3m
As Minister of Dept. of Employment & Workplace Relations in 2001 I rejected fast-tracking compo for Telstra workers exposed to #Abbottstos
Abbottstos @SpaceKidette 11m
Helping so called #Abbottstos victims at ADFA? I’m proud to say we avoided that at all costs and saved ourselves a bundle! #Abbottstos
C@t,
Which explains the slating of the leaks to Bob – they’ve just said Carr not which one!
Guys,
For those that tweet can you help me get this #Abbottstos hashtag trending.
Change your twitter profile to #Abbottstos and RT all my #Abbottstos tweets! Let’s try to make this blow up in his and julie bishops face!
C@tmomma, I knew it had to be a Rudd rat. And they’re out in force for the cameras in 730 Report with asort of ‘told you so’ -Fitzrat copied from his morning appearance, leering, Rudd skating carefully but hinting.
Laurie Ferguson up now, thinking that Boats! must be tackled. Says the other ones are coming around. Actually this is not as negative as the ABC had hoped for. All he wants to do is address that rationally. Leigh trying to limit it to image problems. Strong support from Laurie. Unlike Joel, I don’t think he’s given up. Fielding all Leigh’s attempts to raise leadershit, and reckons she can do it. Bet ABC management were disappointed.
Oh, now it makes sense. Mesma must have got the leak wrong when she got up in QT and asked the PM “Is it true that your Foreign Minister asked you to step down for the good of the party?” I didn’t hear the PM reply because of the furore that erupted in the Chamber.
tree @FairGo333 17m
“@Vic_Rollison: So 7.30 is about the Newspoll result. Wow @leighsales, hard hitting journalism really is dead at the ABC. #shame” Rt
C@t
I was going to ask you to tell us after the caucus info was leaked today. You are right, there is no reason to protect the mongrel. If it wasn’t so serious I’d find it rather amusing that Bishop got the wrong Carr. I saw B Carr’s tweet totally denying it but all the media ran with it regardless.
Foreverjanice
I can’t remember Julia’s exact words but she denied B Carr said it.
Thanks Gravel. Someone ought to get hold of KCarr and stamp TRAITOR across his forehead in indelible ink.
Guardian Australia @GuardianAus 1m
Government warns states: commit to Gonski or lose the cash: http://gu.com/p/3gaja
Evening all,
The bit about Bob Carr was first raised by Philip Adams in a OO article this morning.
that is what Julie Bishop was talking about.
i actually agree with Laurie Ferguson and thought he did a good job fronting up to PM and 7.30.
It takes all the fire out of rumour and “sources say ” rubbish sprouted by the OM.
Makes it a dead ‘gotcha “.
He did a good job as well standing up for the PM.
No negative at all.
On the other hand Joel Fitz is just a prat.
the party I think is best to ignore fitz , people like that like to be noticed by their peers,, we on twitter can say what we like to him,, I think he will feel that more, as we are the voters,
if the party mentions him then the media want forget and will say blah blah as only they can
strange how people turn,, I watched him a qt since he was stood down
he looks rather a disappointed and friendless,
its like when a child gets detention,, and then works at what they should or been doing not sulking , they end up being head prefect, I v e seen it happen both ways.
but those that chose to salk end up miserable and forgotten over the years
their choice.
I would suppose he still thinks we can be re elected and he want be part of the team, suppose he had in his head that the other person would.
as for them over there re kev,, and polls it s the same old ones same old agenda mind you I have not looked,,, but bet I know who they are
ive always thought they are not labor just pretend,
they seem to come out of the wood work all together,,,but what gets me the other there don’t ignore them.
it will die down again soon,,,, has bowe posted morgan and ess,
in big letter I suggest some one does that
and also the elliss story
well could say more but want
Agree with all about Joel Fitzgibbon -he’ should be a pariah- I feel sorry for anyone who has him to represent them- And for all those people who are working so hard to get Labor re-elected. I have messaged the ALP and suggested they dis- endorse him. Leaks? Joel would certainly be a candidate- Have a look at his Facebook page and note his support of Labor for change- i.e get rid of Julia Gillard Also have a look at Julia Gillard’s Page for number of likes – should cheer you up- especially when compared to Tony Abbots.
from memory adams is a rudd man , so I gave listening to his radio programme some time ago,, he changed, so I would say a lot of people stopped listening does he stil do his show
BTW,
How many people would actually have any idea who Joel Fitz is ?
catalyst how did you contact the aministration lot at labor they seem to hide where is there email address
u know second thoughts why not disendorse fitz
show him the door embarrass him
yes doley back to my original thought ignore him
show ponies hate that
Stephen @TheAviator1992 1m
Julie Bishop lied to The Guardian, lied to parliament then tried to fix things by threatening Indonesians.
Diplomacy at its best! #auspol
Michael Jongen @Larrydlibrarian 1m
@miamiaman @crazyjane13 @Wolfie_Rankin Nate Silver writes that the poll with 95% accuracy is the one taken the week before an election
Thank you C@tmomma for for letting the cat , oops , I mean rat , out of the bag . Kim can be my new dartboard . And then Joel when the the Kim one is in tatters .
sk 7 42
good luck with that hope it works
please report back
that so called lead , could she of made it up
denese,
Exactly.
He just comes across as another idiot given far too much importance by those who overrate themselves ie the OM.
that so called LEAK could she have made it up
you know what u have to laugh, did they think that rudd was going to step up the pedestooll ,,, is and they are crapped off did they believe pyne
is that what the head man came over,,,for
just wondering,
Another thing I noticed from that 730 beat-up. Uhlmann ran a camera selection on parliament house, showing Labor MPs looking grim. According to him that represents the gloom over caucus at the moment.
Personally I think that PH video editing at one point showing for contrast Hockey smiling, was selctive to reinforce that meme. I’d like to know when and in what context the Labor MPs were looking so grim-faced. On my covering of QT I have not been aware of any such appearance, but I mainly look at the questioner and the minister. Now grimness would have been entirely justified if it was in the context of questions on the asbestos risks. That dominated the first day and had a large role today.
It is entirely appropriate that MPs take that seriously, with the human losses and misery inflicted. It is no time for cheers and laughter. And their could have been some anger and disgust that the opposition could even dare to exploit this. [Shorten handled the questions with great skill, always showing care and compassion for the victims and potential victims, while not sparing the opposition for their cynicism.]
That frightening issue hung over the parliament. It was not a time for joking about the absurdities of the opposition lines. Even with the dixers, the ministers were fairly grim because it wasn’t the occasion to jest. The PM was very much part of that I did remark at the time that (judging by her serious approach) it would be unwise to try and nettle her. Mesma, possibly thinking that grimness was poll-result driven, came in with her silly question about Bob Carr calling for her to resign.
As I’d already guessed, the PM let her have it over her porkies to the Guardian. Gillard was always going to carve up anyone going in her face, and she easily slapped her down. She didn’t spare her or Abbott over asbestos either.
As I say, Uhlmann misrepresented Caucus morale with those camera shots.
ShropsFightsBack @ShropsFightBack 1h
Rebekah Brooks’s lawyer is David Cameron’s brother. Really?
Disallowance motions for the national parks failed 70 – 71.
Katter & Slipper voted with the Coalition. Oakeshott, Windsor, Wilkie, Bandt and Thomson voted with the Government.
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Chamber_documents/Live_Minutes_-_House
Duckie,
Thanks for the link. Fiesty to say the least!
Sorry that I disappeared. There’s only one thing that tears me away from my keyboard to sit in silence in front of commercial TV night after night. Masterchef!
Even if George Colombaris is the IPA poster boy for taking away Penalty Rates from Service Industry workers. 😦
Anyone have any idea how long it would take for the Julie Bishop matter to come before the Parliamentary Standards Committee? Or is it the Privileges Committee?
I imagine the reason that Slipper and Katter voted for the Marine Parks Disallowance Motion was that they feel that they are on the side of the Recreational and Commercial Fishermen. Even if the Marine Parks exclude 96% of the current area used by these people.
GD. yes, I thought that “panning” moment a joke..any random candid scan will show a percentage not necessarily “grim” but rather “neutral”.
That Uhlmann is a red-hot-suck…the ABC. is shite!
Julie Bishop is, plain and simply ; jealous! Jealous of the smiles and attention the PM. gets and she, even with her Gucci attachments gets none!
Looks very much like Mesma was following Abbott’s lead when she said that they had had behind the scenes discussions with a number of senior Indonesian officials.
Labor ought to call Abbott out for an explanation regarding his statements in Parliament tomorrow.
This could really set back the coalitions AS policy quite dramatically.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/04/tony-abbott-addresses-indonesia-questions
I agree with Patrick White re. Philip Adams…he saw him as a (wtte) wet dish-cloth.
jaycee,
Phillip Adams hitched his little red caboose to the wrong nag, and it ran out of puff half way round the track. 😉
scorpio6to2,
What do you reckon about my theory that Katter and Slipper voted for the Coalition’s Disallowance Motion on the Marine Parks due to their sympathies for the Rec and Pro Fishermen?
Hasnt Turnbull disgraced himself enough already?!
“@JohnFBruce: @Lateline tonight: Malcolm Turnbull on Telstra’s asbestos pits and the political state of play. @Lateline 10:30”
C@tmomma
{ What do you reckon about my theory that Katter and Slipper voted for the Coalition’s Disallowance Motion on the Marine Parks due to their sympathies for the Rec and Pro Fishermen? }
My bey would be that they were just looking after their own electoral prospects. Neither of them would have had much if any contact with or be influenced by the fishing lobby to the extent that they felt pressured to side with the Coalition.
They were just making sure they didn’t alienate that segment of their respective electorates. IMO.
Uhlmann’s attempts at “historical fiction” really are pathetic with the music and shonky edits. This is supposed to be political reporting??!!