UNITED PUSH TO SECURE JOBS
LOCAL leaders and lobby groups have united in a bid to bring major federal agency, Comcare, to Geelong.
A delegation of leaders will converge on Canberra next week to put their case for the move.
Comcare, which oversees workplace health and safety for federal employees, is seen as a natural addition to Geelong’s burgeoning social insurance sector.
The City of Greater Geelong will lead a high-level consortium to the nation’s capital on Wednesday to meet with Government and Opposition MPs to argue the case to move Comcare to Geelong.
Central to the bid will be Geelong’s track record of successfully relocating other government agencies such as the TAC, WorkSafe and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to the city.
Comcare would also fit in seamlessly with the newly formed National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) headquarters, council CEO Kelvin Spiller said.
“Given we’ve seen the very successful transition of the TAC and more recently WorkSafe, we believe the addition of Comcare will only further enhance Geelong’s reputation as a centre of excellence in social insurance.”
Mr Spiller said Geelong’s pitch would also include affordable housing, an enviable lifestyle, an experienced workforce, a supportive corporate environment and close proximity to Melbourne.
“The opportunities for both Geelong and Comcare are both multiple and plentiful and that is certainly the case we will be taking to Canberra. We’re very hopeful of a positive response,” he said.
The council is being joined in the bid by the Committee for Geelong, G21, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the TAC and WorkSafe.
“We know what we have to offer in Geelong and we are convinced this is a bid that could add significant value for both Comcare and the Geelong community, so we look forward to the opportunity to discuss it further,” Mr Spiller said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also thrown the State Government’s voice behind Geelong’s bid, following an earlier show of support from the State Opposition.
“As the automotive industry winds up in Geelong and the local economy transitions, it’s vital that all levels of government play their part in ensuring the region’s continued prosperity,” Mr Andrews said.
But the decision will ultimately rest with the Federal Government, which has expressed an interest in moving agencies from Canberra into regional areas.
It has set up a Select Committee to look into the issue, which is scheduled to table a final report into regional development and decentralisation by February next year.
Based in Canberra, Comcare employs more than 650 people across Australia.