Toyota’s announcement that it will cease manufacturing vehicles locally by 2017 and in turn close the Altona Manufacturing Plant is devastating news for our community, Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy said today.

“This is devastating for Toyota’s workforce and workers’ families,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The decision will also hit our local economy hard, affecting many local businesses and community groups who are supported by Toyota,” she said.

“Today’s decision marks the end of local vehicle manufacturing in Australia and will impact tens of thousands of workers across Victoria and the entire country.

“I am particularly worried for local components businesses that rely on Toyota for work.

“These are workers who were abandoned by the Federal and State governments.

“I call on the Napthine Government to support Toyota’s workers and those dependent upon Toyota, who tonight are facing redundancy and an uncertain job future in a fragile economy.

“Tonight and the future months and years will be a particularly stressful time for many workers and their families,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The government must urgently develop a comprehensive support and transition plan for these workers.

“The government must also address the impact today’s decision will have on the entire economy in Melbourne’s west.

“The west is home to many workers who rely on the auto and related components industries for their livelihoods.

“The wider impacts of the decisions by Ford, Holden and now Toyota to cease manufacturing will have far-reaching effects on our local economy.

“The manufacturing industry is one of the most important employers of people in the western suburbs.

“The government must do more to protect and grow local manufacturing jobs,” Ms Hennessy said.

“My heart goes out to Toyota’s entire workforce today,” Ms Hennessy said.

  LOCAL WORKERS, MELBOURNE’S WEST, TOYOTA DECISION DEVASTATING NEWS