Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the jobs of manufacturing workers won't be safe until Prime Minister Julia Gillard loses her job.
Mr Abbott visited a Sydney toolmaking business this morning to talk up the impact of the carbon tax on the cost of manufacturing and the price of manufactured goods.
The visit followed a shadow cabinet meeting in Canberra yesterday which discussed the coalition's industry policy and support for car makers, and the axing of hundreds of jobs at several Australian car makers.
"I have a very simple message to manufacturing workers of Australia - your job won't be safe until Julia Gillard loses her job and this government is gone," Mr Abbott said.
"The carbon tax is a dagger aimed at the heart of manufacturing in this country."
Asked whether a Labor leadership change to Kevin Rudd would make it harder for the coalition to win an election, Mr Abbott said: "They can change their leader but unless they change their policies this will continue to be a bad government for Australia."
Mr Abbott said a fresh election was needed.
"The faceless men have obviously decided Julia Gillard is not up to the job," he said.
"But it's not really up to the faceless men, it's up to the Australian people."
