Senator Scott Ryan has expressed regret that Qantas has chosen to cut 500 jobs and has called on the Federal Government to do more to support Australian jobs.

With many of the Qantas workers at Tullamarine and Avalon coming from Melbourne’s western suburbs, Senator Ryan – the Liberal Party’s patron senator for Calwell, Gorton, Lalor and Maribyrnong – said the Gillard Government needs to stop punishing business.

“Unemployment in the West is already significantly higher than other areas of Australia and the announcement by Qantas is yet another blow to local families,” Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition, Senator Ryan said.

“Local MPs including Julia Gillard, Bill Shorten and Brendan O’Connor need to stop putting up barriers for Australian businesses and start helping to protect jobs.”

“Unemployment has hit eight per cent in some suburbs in the West, high above the 4.9 per cent national average, yet Labor ministers and MPs are turning a blind eye.”

“The introduction of the carbon tax in just over a month is expected to make it even harder for business,” Senator Ryan said. “What that is going to mean is higher prices for consumers, squeezed profits for businesses and less secure employment for workers.”

“Only a federal Coalition government will axe the carbon tax and promote hope, reward and opportunity for families.”