WOES surrounding manufacturing in Australia have all too frequently made headlines in recent years.
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Whether it is factories closing or job cuts, the sector has borne the brunt of an economy switching much of its work from expensive first world countries to low-cost nations.
Debate about many of these losses centres around what the federal government is doing to address the problems leading to unemployment.
Fortunately in the case of ARfuels, which operates a biodiesel plant at Barnawartha, the Coalition government has listened and in doing so saved 30 North East jobs. Changes to excise rules by Treasurer Joe Hockey meant the company was faced with closure.
Happily the government reacted to the manufacturer’s concerns and altered the timetable for the introduction of excise on biodiesel.
Excise will now be phased in over 16 years rather than five years.
Lobbying to Mr Hockey and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, along with the efforts of independent MP Cathy McGowan, paid off.
It is a pleasing win for a growing business which has scope for expansion with such support.