Download Holden Announcement a Potentially Devastating Result for Adelaide's Northern Communities
These businesses need assistance to transition to new activities that capitalise on their existing expertise, that help them sustain existing jobs, as well as create new employment opportunities within the community.
SACOSS also calls for the immediate establishment of a job creation investment fund. This should be made available to encourage innovative start-ups and other businesses in the areas most affected by Holden's closure to develop new employment opportunities.
SACOSS Executive Director Ross Womersley said,
"Now more than ever, we need our federal government to demonstrate its support for the South Australian community by ending the doubt and making decisions now to invest in our future"
"We need both state and federal governments to be discussing with the community sector about how we can support members of the local community who will be most severely impacted by Holden's decision"
"Our members are already seeing huge increases in requests for emergency relief support from welfare and charitable agencies and that this is likely to lead to persistent and extended levels of unemployment”
“The northern community of Adelaide has long been challenged by high levels of youth unemployment and issues of poverty, Holden's decision is only likely exacerbate this”
“There needs to be a regional and national response and SACOSS calls for the establishment of a high-level task force, including senior personnel drawn from the community and social services sector, to lead regional recovery”.
The task-force should be resourced and given responsibility for managing the job creation investment fund.
Now we have a clear idea about the immediate future of Holden we need a plan that ensures a successful transition to new industries and employment opportunities.
South Australian workers, their families, and the communities they live in depend on it.
For further information/comment contact:
SACOSS Communications Officer - Marnie Round 0423 767 015
SACOSS Executive Director - Ross Womersley 0418 805 426