The Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom has joined Assistant Treasurer Senator Nick Sherry and the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development Maxine McKew in welcoming today's official opening of the newly-upgraded Vintex Recycling Processing Facility at Wynyard in Tasmania's north-west.
Mr Sidebottom and the Assistant Treasurer joined the Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird at the opening ceremony for the plant, which employs 90 disabled workers in the processing of donated clothing.
"I'm proud the Australian Government has been able to support Vintex and its workers," said Mr Sidebottom.
"The really great news today is that Vintex has been able to employ a further 24 full-time and 19 part-time workers as a result of this project."
"This is a terrific example of what we can achieve when federal and state governments work with communities to get the best for our regions."
Both Mr Sidebottom and the Assistant Treasurer thanked members of the Vincent Industries Committee of Management, local representatives, and the Wynyard community before cutting the ribbon with Mr Aird before workers at the facility, their parents and supporters.
Workers at the plant, run by an independent business arm of the St Vincent de Paul Society, recycle donated clothing into useable garments and rags for international and domestic markets.
"Australian Government funding of $200,000 was used for the installation of seven new recycled-clothing sorting workstations, as well as for a monorail for stock to travel through sorting stations," said the Assistant Treasurer.
"The increased efficiency and capacity will quadruple the number of containers of clothing produced for export."
Ms McKew, who was represented by Mr Sidebottom at the opening, said she was delighted at the completion of the upgrade.
"My heartfelt thanks goes to all the supporters of this project." "A relatively small investment in Vintex has given employment and training opportunities to more disabled workers, but the effects on people's lives are priceless," said Ms McKew.