Mayor Lyons takes Geelong's case to Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Mayor Lyons takes Geelong’s case to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Minister for Industry

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was very buoyant following a meeting he had in Melbourne today with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Federal Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane, along with Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson.

“I have just concluded a meeting where I had the rare opportunity to personally brief the Prime Minister Tony Abbott plus Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane on Geelong’s key funding priorities,” said Mayor Lyons.

“There was real energy in the room and both Prime Minister Abbott and Minister Macfarlane were clearly enthused about the projects we discussed, including the Yarra Street Pier and Geelong’s bid to win the contract to build the Land 400 military vehicle.

“Time will tell whether we will achieve our aims from today but I am absolutely confident we made a very compelling case and the Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry were both fully engaged and understanding of the businesses cases we presented today,” said Cr Lyons.

“Today’s meeting was evidence that the work we have done in the last few months to build a case for Geelong has put us in a strong position.

“We made a very persuasive case for Geelong backed up with solid research on jobs growth and economic benefit.

“When Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane return to Canberra they will be in no doubt we have a substantial plan for Geelong’s future – both in the context of the recent job losses and as a place for long term sustainable growth,” said Mayor Lyons.

Last week Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons attended Parliament House Canberra to lobby for the Australian Defence Force contract to build the army’s new military vehicle, the Land 400.

The contracts to build and maintain the Land 400 are worth $20 billion.

For more information visit City of Greater Geelong