ALP pledges $10.5 million to boost jobs in Melbourne’s north

LABOR has promised an extra $10.5 million into the Melbourne North Innovation and Investment Fund if elected this weekend.

General views of the Ford plant at Broadmeadows. Picture: Ellen Smith

LABOR has promised to throw an extra $10.5 million into the Melbourne North Innovation and Investment Fund to boost jobs across the area if elected this weekend.

The MNIIF, a joint initiative between the state and federal governments and Ford, was established following the motor company’s decision to cease manufacturing in Broadmeadows and Geelong by October 2016.

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At the time it was announced 650 jobs would be axed from Broadmeadows alone and a further 510 in Geelong.

Both Geelong and Melbourne’s north, comprising Hume, Whittlesea, Moreland and Darebin, received assistance packages of $24.5 million shortly after to help businesses expand their operations and employment capacity.

Shadow Minister for Employment Tim Pallas today announced Labor would tip in an extra $10.5 million for the north to create more opportunities and address the “jobs crisis”.

Broadmeadows State Labor MP Frank McGuire said Labor would “get to work on day one, helping create 100,000 jobs, supporting retrenched workers and investing in the industries of the future”.

Leader has sought comment from Broadmeadows Liberal candidate Evren Onder.

The election takes place on Saturday.

MORE TO COME.