Senator Xenophon was in Orange yesterday to support Rod Bloomfield who is standing as part of the Nick Xenophon Team in the next federal election, which could be as early as July 2.

Senator Xenophon said voters from Orange should feel let down by the existing government who hadn’t done enough to help keep the Electrolux plant open.

He and Mr Bloomfield are urging Electrolux to retain its skills centre when the factory ceases production in April.

“By keeping it open it will encourage local entrepreneurs to utilise skilled labour and for people to make themselves employable by becoming more skilled,” Senator Xenophon said.

Mr Bloomfield said the vacant Electrolux plant would be ideal for the manufacture of solar panels, and he wants to explore opportunities to attract investors.

“We need to encourage cutting-edge manufacturing to Orange and I don’t understand, for example, why we are manufacturing solar panels offshore,” he said. 

Senator Xenophon said while Mr Bloomfield faced a “David and Goliath” battle to wrestle the seat of Calare from the Nationals, voters in the past had shown they were prepared to deviate from tradition.

“I was a good friend of Peter Andren and he did so much for this electorate,” Mr Bloomfield said.

“He was a class act,” Senator Xenophon added.

Mr Bloomfield said he was conscious unemployment in the manufacturing and retailing sectors in Calare was 1 per cent above the national average.

During his visit Senator Xenophon said people in the electorate were concerned by the upsurge in drugs such as ice creating havoc in families.

“I have already put the case in South Australia that drug dealers should have their assets confiscated to create more rehabilitation facilities as this is a major problem for people wanting to get help and not being able to find a place,” he said.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au