NSW Premier Gladys Berijiklian was lobbied to provide financial incentives to keep Seeley International in Albury.
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On a visit to Albury last year in her role as treasurer, Ms Berijiklian was asked to reconsider providing funding via a funding program titled Jobs for NSW, but her government declined.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews confirmed undisclosed incentives and regional payroll tax cuts had helped to convince Seeley to move to Wodonga.
Member for Albury Greg Aplin confirmed there had been numerous discussions about the Seeley situation with members of his government including Ms Berijiklian.
“Anything that is relevant to this area is discussed with the relevant minister and that includes the treasurer,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Aplin said it was important Seeley had chosen to stay on the border.
“We are very encouraged by the fact an organisation approaching a $1 billion turnover and being the foremost manufacturer in Australia has chosen to stay in the border region,” he said.
“I personally escorted them to several properties to have a look on the NSW side.
“They had a particular desire for something that wasn’t available here. A business with a $1 billion turnover doesn’t need to worry about minor incentives.”
NSW shadow minister for regional development David Harris said the Coalition needed to alter its approach to keeping major employers in the state.
“It is happening far too often because there is no pro-active strategy in NSW to hold existing employers,” he said.
“Seeley is a perfect example where they’ve been able to be poached because the government didn’t want to engage in any discussions about enticing them to stay.
“It is quite mystifying that we’ve got members of the government congratulating the Victorian government poaching jobs and payroll tax from NSW.”