GM HOLDEN

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (14:30): My question is again to the Premier: of the $3,750 added to the cost of producing a motor car at Holden's Adelaide plant compared to overseas operations, what proportion of that cost is due to federal Labor's carbon tax, increases in power bills and declining productivity under his government?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for his question. I noticed there were some pretty wild assertions of additional costs associated with the carbon tax on the price of a vehicle in Australia made by Mr Abbott. I won't be relying upon those estimates.

I understand that there was some evidence given to a federal estimates committee by a federal official about making some estimate about those matters. I will seek to track down that information. It's a relatively modest amount and does not compare to the very substantial issues associated with the subsidies that would be necessary to allow the South Australian and, indeed, the Australian car industry to compete on a national scale through the support of its national government. I will bring back an answer to the house.