MPs in push to secure Comcare
FEDERAL MP Sarah Henderson has used a bid to secure the relocation of federal agency Comcare to again spruik a City Deal.
The Corangamite Liberal MP said she looked forward to meeting with a consortium of Geelong leaders travelling to Canberra tomorrow to push their case for the department, which oversees workplace health and safety for federal employees, to be moved to Geelong.
“The bid to relocate Comcare should be included as part of a potential City Deal,” Ms Henderson said.
“A City Deal is a comprehensive plan between the three levels of government to drive future investment and opportunity to our region, underpinned by one agreed vision.
“Including the relocation of Comcare in a potential City Deal will enhance the bid’s prospects of success.”
Ms Henderson yesterday said she strongly backed the bid.
“We need to get these jobs out of Canberra and into regional Australia, and there is no better place for Comcare to move than Geelong,” she said.
Corio federal Labor MP Richard Marles yesterday again threw his support behind the bid.
“Geelong has been neglected by this government, having direct investment and jobs relocated to Geelong is a way it can address its lacklustre approach to investing in Geelong,” Mr Marles said.
“Geelong has all the required capability and skills needed to accommodate Comcare and it would be a real win for the local economy.”
The City of Greater Geelong will lead a local consortium to the Canberra tomorrow to meet Government and Opposition MPs to argue the case to move Comcare to Geelong.
The council will be joined in the bid by the Committee for Geelong, G21, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the TAC and WorkSafe.
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.
The currently Canberrabased Comcare employs more than 650 people across Australia.