Media release

Australian Protectionist Party National Chairman and South Australian Spokesman Mr. Andrew Phillips today applauded the declaration by the union movement to block any attempts by Pacific Brands to move manufacturing machinery out of Australia.

"After decades of tired internationalist tripe uttered by successive generations of union leaders, finally the movement has realized their purpose is to defend the interests of Australian workers" Mr. Phillips said. "Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon is quite correct in pointing out that much of the machinery used by Pacific Brands would not have been operated without the $20 million granted via Australian taxpayer dollars-this in effect means it is owned by Australians".

The Australian Protectionist Party supports the right of Australian employers to pursue their business activities in an ethical manner and to conduct their business as they see fit. However, in this situation a company cannot be permitted to throw Australian workers onto the scrap-heap in favour of cheap foreign labour and expect the Australian taxpayer to foot the bill.

"Australian manufacturing workers have witnessed this time and again - companies happy to accept millions of dollars from taxpayers, only to close operations and be lured by cheap and compliant labour in the Asia Pacific region while pocketing massive profits and voting in outrageous executive payrises" Mr. Phillips continued "These companies know no shame, their treatment of Australian taxpayers and their contempt for the Australian workforce is clearly evident despite protestations from company representatives that a misconception exists about their plans. At least when Fletcher Jones closed operations in Mt Gambier and moved offshore, they had the decency to admit that Globalisation was to blame."

"The Australian union movement seems to have come to their senses and reassessed their priorities - we wish them the best in their efforts to hold this company to account and defend the interests of both Australian workers and taxpayers" Mr. Phillips concluded.



Statement issued by Mr. Andrew Phillips
National Chairman and S.A. spokesman, Australian Protectionist Party
1st March 2009