ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 23 May, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » 1,200 jobs to go as Ford closes Australian plants Ford Australia says it will close its Australian manufacturing plants in October 2016, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Ford president Bob Graziano said approximately 1,200 workers would lose their jobs when the Broadmeadows and Geelong plants were shut down. He made the announcement in Melbourne this morning after announcing that the company had lost $600 million over the last five years. "Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia," Mr Graziano said. "Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia in the long term." The decision marks the end of an era for the Australian car industry, with the Falcon brand to be retired when the plants shut their doors. More » Government list reveals chemicals used in bombs Man hacked to death in London terrorist attack Sydney dance school closes amid abuse allegations Grog culture defended as 'core social value' Woman pleads guilty to causing baby's death Bombers chief Robson quits over supplements scandal More Analysis » It's time to put the break on corporate welfare The shock announcement that Ford will close its Australian manufacturing facilities is further proof that short-term government assistance for industry is a failure. Rather than trying to prop up carmakers, governments must focus on assisting workers transition to efficient industries. We have a moral obligation to assist displaced workers and communities, but corporate welfare for a favoured few can not be justified. 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More » US tornado survivors begin rebuilding their lives Syrian refugee plight highlighted in Amnesty report New flu vaccine may mean just one jab Eyewitnesses describe horror of Woolwich cleaver attack Man charged over 1982 IRA bombing in London Business More Business » 1,200 jobs to go as Ford closes Australian plants Ford Australia says it will close its Australian manufacturing plants in October 2016, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Ford president Bob Graziano said approximately 1,200 workers would lose their jobs when the Broadmeadows and Geelong plants were shut down. He made the announcement in Melbourne this morning after announcing that the company had lost $600 million over the last five years. "Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia," Mr Graziano said. "Manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia in the long term." The decision marks the end of an era for the Australian car industry, with the Falcon brand to be retired when the plants shut their doors. More » Ford Australia: Timeline of production Shares, dollar slide on Bernanke comments Rinehart 'more powerful' than Gillard in Forbes list Investment in resources set to fall dramatically Pressure builds for Govt ban on gambling ads Politics More Politics » UNHCR criticises Australia over asylum changes The UN refugee agency has taken Australia to task over its new policy to excise the mainland from the migration zone. More » Grog culture defended as 'core social value' Rinehart 'more powerful' than Gillard in Forbes list Govt wants report into claims relatives barred from nursing homes PNG PM threatens to shut down finance department Sport More Sport » Bombers chief resigns amid ASADA probe Essendon chief Ian Robson has resigned from his role at Windy Hill amid ASADA's doping investigation. More » Warner apologises for Twitter rant Socceroo stalwarts return for Cup qualifiers Apologies, but I was provoked: Franklin Te'o still has Maroons chance: Meninga Bulls' Lynn embroiled in Te'o saga Science and Technology More Science and Technology » New flu vaccine may mean just one jab A group of scientists say they have come up with a new type of influenza vaccine that may protect against various strains with a single jab. More » New grant to fund MS trials, research It is rocket science, as SA firm expands operation Apple denies using gimmicks to dodge taxes Yahoo to buy blogging website Tumblr for $1.1b Environment More Environment » Global warming could be slower than first thought: report By environment reporter Sarah Clarke and Katie Hamann A new report says the planet may be warming slower in the short-term than had been previously projected. 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