In question time today, the Shadow Minister for Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy, asked the Coalition to put its money where its mouth is and back Australia’s capability in the photonics industry.
“The local management of JDS Uniphase is taking steps to keep this operation in Australia, and I wanted to know what the Coalition is doing to help make the management buy-out of the Australian operations of JDS Uniphase possible,” Senator Lundy said.
“Senator Minchin, representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane, said that the Government was ‘observing’ the situation. However, this isn’t good enough because time is running out.
“The Coalition continues to talk of its commitment to the Australian photonics industry, but the decline of the global telecommunications industry means the time has come for the Coalition to back its rhetoric with action,” Senator Lundy said.
“Both sides agree that this industry is extremely valuable to Australia and is expected to remain so in the future. The Opposition urges the Government to take the opportunity to ensure that Australian jobs and Australian intellectual property do not leave these shores.
“The Government can do this by actively supporting the management buy-out process,” Senator Lundy concluded.
Media contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or the Electorate Office: 0418 488 295.
