The loss of 200 jobs from Bluescope is a terrible tragedy for our local community. That is 200 local families that won’t have an income and 200 incomes that won’t be there to support our local shops and businesses.

 

I have set up a ”One Stop Shop” at my office to assist people to access the resources that are being made available from both the state and federal governments.  Anyone wishing to find out what assistance is available and how to access it can call my office 24 hours, 7 days a week on 5977 5600, email me on neale.burgess@parliament.vic.gov.au  or simply drop in to 6 Eramosa Road East in Somerville.

 

My office is ready to work with every one that is being affected by these job cuts, to assist them and their families in every way we can.  I will also be working with Bluescope to not only secure the remaining 650 jobs but to significantly grow that number.

 

I am still very hopeful that the number of people leaving Bluescope involuntarily will be considerably fewer than 200.

 

The best way to help our local people recover from this shocking situation is still to help them get a new job. That is why it is so important that the State Government has fast tracked the start of the Port of Hastings development.

 

The legislation to start development of the Port of Hastings and setting up the new and independent Port of Hastings Development Authority Board was passed by Parliament last week. The new Board will be instructed to hit the ground running.

 

It has been estimated that development of the Port of Hastings will create at least an additional 4000 jobs and this community needs those jobs as quickly as possible.