GM HOLDEN

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (14:22): A supplementary, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Given the Premier's reply to my question, which referred to coinvestment and subsidies, did he support the Gillard Labor government's decision to scrap the $1.3 billion car innovation fund, heralded by his predecessor, the member for Ramsay, in a media release in November 2008, and is that, as industry observers have observed, a cause for Holden's problems today—the axing of that funding by Labor?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for his question. I don't know whether he understands that question. I certainly don't understand it. Can I say this: there has never been on one occasion raised with me by Holden that the fate of that particular fund has been material to any of their decisions. What they have raised with me is that they cannot conclude arrangements with us until they know the fate of $2 billion worth of commonwealth assistance, which is hanging in the balance by virtue of Liberal Party policy. The equation is very simple: vote Liberal, close Holden's.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Bragg is warned for the first time. The member for Mitchell.