The Rev Fred Nile, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has stated that the recent actions of Pacific Brands Limited were disgraceful and has called on the NSW Government to ensure all commercial entities that receive Government funding are forced to refund those funds in the event that they decide to relocate outside of NSW. The Rev Nile raised the issue during question time in the NSW Upper House.

Rev. the Hon. Fred Nile: I ask the Treasurer a question without notice.

• Is it a fact that Pacific Brands Limited, the maker of Bonds, has received over $17 million from the Federal Government in the past two years?

• Is it a fact that Pacific Brands has suddenly closed its Australian factories and sacked nearly 2,000 employees so that it can move overseas?

• In view of this disgraceful action, will the Treasurer introduce a policy that all companies in New South Wales that receive any State or Federal financial assistance agree to remain in New South Wales for at least 10 years otherwise they will be required to refund any financial assistance, grants, tax concessions and so on that they have received over the agreed period?

The Hon. Eric Roozendaal: I am advised that on 25 February 2009 Pacific Brands Limited announced a corporate restructure that would see up to 1,850 redundancies across Australia. Most of these redundancies relate to Pacific Brands manufacturing activities. Four of the Pacific Brands sites in New South Wales are to be closed—at Cessnock, Bellambi, Wentworthville and Unanderra. My office has been in contact with the chief executive officer of Pacific Brands, Ms Sue Morphet. Ms Morphet has assured the Government that all employees who are made redundant will receive full entitlements.

The global financial crisis has resulted in deteriorating market conditions for many businesses across Australia. This is why the Government has committed itself to protecting jobs and encouraging investment in the State. Our record infrastructure spend of almost $14 billion in 2008-09 is more than double the level in the 1990s. As to the issue raised by Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile, I will pass his concerns on to the Minister for Commerce for her consideration.
 

For Media Interviews contact: Rev Fred Nile (02) 9230 2478 or 0418 619 731
Research Assistant: David Copeland (02) 9230 2978

 Christian Democratic Party, GPO Box 141, Sydney NSW 2001.
Email: admin@cdp.org.au Web: www.cdp.org.au  Tel: 1300 667 975