So Julia Gillard is out there offering SPECIAL PRIVILEGES to Ford workers, yet to my knowledge, there is no such offer on the table for many others who have lost their jobs.

A mate of mine has just lost his mining job, in the Bowen Basin, yet being one of 900 workers recently sacked, in one sacking, there is no such offer on the table.

Of cause Julia doesn't offer support for mining, rather, she wants to rip the guts out of their profits by way of the MRRT, albeit in a failed attempt.

So why is it that only certain sectors get support, while most others get left behind?

This Ford thing has the pilots strike smell about it, all over again.

just like the public service the heavily supported union industry are mainly labour voters. They love spending the workers money.

Without wanting to be seen to support the red-headed witch, was the handout idea her idea or rather something foisted on her by the union faction ?? Its always difficult to tell where moronic ideas originate in the ALP, the party specializes in placing all manner of lunatics where they can do the most damage.

"why are they so special" Because there is an election coming up and Juliar is scared stiff.

Dear rehctub,

You state that "to your knowledge" there's no government
support for other Australians to find a job et cetera.

Actually, your knowledge as always seems rather limited.

There's the Social Security Amendment (supporting Australians
into Work) Bill 2013 which will provide Australians
receiving income support with greater incentives and support to
find and keep a job.

More information is provided here:

http://billshorten.com.au/gillard_government_supporting_more_australians_intowork

I have wondered about this too rehctub. When a large industry closes it means the loss of mass jobs but when you think about many individuals losing their jobs, collectively that is a much larger number of people. I think it is about the media and politics and governments wanting to be seen doing what they perceive will be perceived as the right thing.

I love the way the supporters of unfettered free trade (both LNP and ALP)will use subsidies, which someone described as merely 'reverse tariffs', to bolster failing industry. Indeed there are some tariffs still in place. Correct me if I am wrong, for the automobile industry I think it sits at 5%. Yet anyone who proposes tariffs or protectionism are labelled as agrarian socialists or similar.

Australia is not alone in this. The US and Europe have for years subsidised certain industries and agricultural sectors whilst at the same time pushing a globalisation free trade agenda. It comes down to self-interest, it is not really about ideology.