FED:Swan "disturbed" manufacturers shut-out

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2011
FED:Swan "disturbed" manufacturers shut-out

Federal Treasurer WAYNE SWAN says he'll investigate claims that Australian steelmakers
are being shut out of big infrastructure contracts that are going to cheap Chinese suppliers.

He says he's disturbed by complaints from unions and manufacturers about the mining
companies doing deals with the Chinese, while local suppliers aren't even getting a look-in.

But he's ruled out any government intervention to curb the strength of the Australian
dollar, which was a key factor in BlueScope Steel's decision to end its export business
and axe a thousand jobs.

JULIA GILLARD's told ABC radio she's an optimist and she believes manufacturing still
has a future, but times are changing and we need to keep strengthening and modernising
our economy.

The prime miniser's refused to be drawn on predictions by US bank Merrill Lynch analysts
that 100,000 more job losses are in the pipeline.

AAP RTV cb/rl/jmt

KEYWORD: ECONOMY (CANBERRA)

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