BHP job losses show focus needed on job creation-Oppn
21 Jan 2009 3:19 PM
SYDNEY, Jan 21 AAP - Job losses at the world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton, demonstrate the need for any new economic stimulus package to focus on job creation, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.
Mr Turnbull said news that 3,400 Australian jobs would be shed at BHP, paired with other job losses at Rio Tinto, was "very bad news for the workers and families concerned".
"It underlines the importance of those three priorities I talk about almost every day: jobs, jobs, jobs," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
"The focus of the government and everybody at this time should be on promoting and preserving employment.
"Any new policies, any new stimuluses, should be directed on jobs and they should be carefully considered, they should be considered for their effectiveness so that the taxpayer gets the maximum economic bang for the taxpayer's buck."
He said the coalition would carefully consider any credit market bail-out on its merits.
