Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to appeal to the Gillard government to not let another manufacturing business in Australia close. Nigretta in Hamilton is a furniture-manufacturing business specialising in quality Australian hardwood bedroom furniture. It is operated by Vantage, a disability employment provider of 50 years, and it supports 17 FaHCSIA funded individuals with disabilities. The current operating climate for manufacturing furniture in Australia is grim. The market for high-quality Australian produced hardwood bedroom furniture has all but disappeared. This niche, value-adding disability support provider needs government assistance. I have written to the Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers asking for action on this issue. It would make no financial sense to let this business close. The government is meant to work in partnership with disability providers, not hang them out to dry at the 11th hour. This is a deplorable position. The government needs to act and it needs to act now. If Nigretta closes, what will happen to the 17 individuals who will lose their jobs? What disability employment provider will step in to replace Vantage as the service provider? We need answers from the government and we need them right here, right now.