Community members and defence contractors have staged a rally in Newcastle this morning, calling on the Abbott Government to support the local shipbuilding industry.
The rally coincided with a hearing for a Federal Senate Inquiry into naval shipbuilding at City Hall.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says up to 1000 Hunter jobs are in jeopardy as the federal government considers sending contracts offshore.
“Right now, Hunter blue collar workers and their families are facing the biggest crisis since the closure of BHP over a decade ago.
“In the face of this crisis, Tony Abbott is threatening to desert workers in the region” said NSW Secretary Tim Ayres.
The Senate Committee will hear evidence from a number of organisations including Forgacs, the AMWU, HunterNet and the Australian Business Defence Industry Unit.
We’ll bring you more details in tonight’s NBN News at 6.
