New economic modelling projecting the loss of 850,000 jobs in the Australian services sector was released this week by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research. The report identified that 1 in 10 service sector jobs could be sent offshore over the next 20 years.

Click here to read the NIEIR report. 

The release of the NIEIR report provides leaders in the finance and insurance industry with the opportunity to envisage and plan for the future of the industry in Australia, and examine the value rather than the cost, of maintaining a strong local finance sector.

There is a role for government here too, to take on employers in our industry and ensure they invest in Australian jobs and skills.

To progress the debate, and assist the parties to develop solutions, FSU hosted a finance industry skills forum in Melbourne on May 30.

The key speaker was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Workplace Relations Julia Gillard.

Along with the Deputy PM, the FSU Skills Forum brought together decision makers, leaders and policy makers from industry, government and academia to discuss future challenges.

FSU takes these challenges seriously, going in to bat to protect members' jobs, now and into the future.

I look forward to reporting to members the outcomes and recommendations of the FSU Skills Forum.