Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens’ Leader
The loss of so many jobs and livelihoods at Cadbury is a devastating blow.
Loyal and dedicated workers have fallen victim to accelerating industry automation and State and Federal governments doing very little to mitigate the social and economic damage.
Cadbury is clearly no longer the home grown employer they once were and have become no different from any other profit-driven multinational corporation. Workers are increasingly becoming expendable because machines don’t need decent pay, holidays or sick leave.
A recent Regional Australia Institute report found up to 60% of all Tasmanian jobs are at moderate to high risk of automation.
Instead of investing in reskilling Tasmanian workers and assisting them into sectors less at risk of automation, the Liberals give public grants or tax breaks to private companies that often use the money to upgrade and cut costs.
At the same time, they underinvest in TasTAFE and make courses unaffordable to Tasmanians on low incomes.
Displaced Cadbury workers need support, now. Their ongoing policy failings aside, the Hodgman Government must ensure these Tasmanians and their families are given every assistance to move forward with dignity and optimism for the future.