Kilcoy abattoir worker Mitchell Rock sacked by China's largest agri-business after criticising imported workforce
Friday, 12 May 2017
What a horrible shock for Mitchell and his young family.
Rodney Rock shared his post ·
It's over but the fight for Australian workers has only just begun
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457 VISA BURNS ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN FAMILY
Mitchell Rock and his young family must tonight contemplate their options.
In the last few days Mitchell has been the recipient of a death threat believed to have been made by an employee of Kilcoy Pastoral Company.
Mitchell and his family have also had to tolerate an online campaign to slander his work ethics, also believed to have been led by a person who is part of the management team.
Mitchell and Sherree fought a good fight, but being up against a massive Chinese company and receiving absolutely no help or backup from the union, Bill Shorten and Labour, Barnaby Joyce and the Nationals or Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party time has taken its toll.
Mitchell's position was officially terminated late this afternoon by Kilcoy Pastoral Company management.
We believe Mitchell has been made an example, of what happens to Australian workers when they speak out against the injustices of the 457 Visa.
Mitchell and Sherree would like to sincerely thank the millions of concerned Australian people who have supported them through their ordeal.
Stan Kipper.
Chris Ford.
ENDS
For me this is certainly not over.
New Hope is getting plenty of help from the Australian Government.
What about the Australian Government ensuring we're not getting done out of jobs by New Hope?
Chinese group plans to invest up to A$1 billion in Australian agriculture
14 Feb 2017
New Hope Group (New Hope), China’s largest privately owned agribusiness, has announced plans to invest up to A$1 billion in Australian agriculture by 2020.
Nick Dowling, CEO of New Hope’s Australian operations, announced the company’s investment plans during an interview with the ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster. Speaking on behalf of Group Chairman Liu Yonghao, Dowling says New Hope is looking for further investments in Australian premium food operations, from lamb to aquaculture.
‘We invest into businesses, we don't acquire businesses,’ says Dowling. ‘We look to work with great partners that have great businesses where we can bring our resources and market access to give life to opportunities that business wouldn't otherwise have. It's all about giving oxygen for those businesses to grow.’
New Hope’s recent announcement builds on its existing diverse investments in Australia, which include a controlling stake (finalised in 2013) of Kilcoy Pastoral Company (KPC), a Queensland-based beef processor and exporter.
Dean Goode, CEO of KPC, told the ABC that New Hope’s investment resulted in 130 new jobs, enabled the company to replace older assets and helped pave the way for future growth.
‘For the local community it’s been huge, and as the investment comes together we’ll see more jobs created,’ he says. ‘The New Hope name has enabled us to gain access not just in China but globally to financiers, business partners or future customers or suppliers.’
Following its investment in KPC, in 2014 New Hope entered into an agreement with ASX-listed Freedom Foods Group and its majority shareholder, Perich Group, to set up large-scale intensive dairy farms in southeast Australia.
In 2015, New Hope Real Estate made its first investment in Australia. Together with local partner VIMG, it is developing ‘The Landmark’, a residential tower in North Sydney.
In 2016, the group opened a local headquarters in Sydney and acquired Australian NaturalCare, a vitamin and supplements company.
Founded in China in 1982, New Hope Group has more than 600 subsidiaries in 30 countries, nearly 70,000 employees and annual revenue of approximately ¥80 billion. Its businesses encompass feed production, agriculture technology, food processing, channel construction, facility building and financial services.
Tony Eyres, Senior Investment Specialist, Agribusiness and Food at Austrade, says New Hope’s long-term projects help contribute to a steady rise in China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) into Australia.
‘China is Australia’s top two-way trade partner and our largest agricultural export market, but China does not make the top three list of sources of FDI into Australia,’ he says. ‘This shows there is room for FDI from China to grow. The majority of inward FDI stock continues to come from traditional sources such as the US, UK and Japan, with China growing rapidly from a low base.’
ENDS
I'll write some letters to Turnbull, Bishop and Barnaby tonight. If - as appears on face value - Mitchell has been adversely treated for speaking out about the improper importation of 457 Visa holders from the Philippines this is a bloody outrage.
If the Chinese want to come and do business here in our country they should have the law laid down for them by us. I'd expect them to be punctilious in adhering to our employment and industrial laws.
I've seen and published prima facie evidence that the importation of labour from the Philippines on 457 visas by New Hope through its Kilcoy Pastoral Company is irregular, possibly unlawful and certainly contrary to the spirit of Australian immigration law.
Our laws must be enforced.
Bishop, Barnaby and Turnbull are paid to make sure that happens on our behalf.
I'll keep you posted.