MITSUBISHI MOTORS

In reply to the Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (12 February 2008).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): The Minister for Industry and Trade has provided the following information:

1. The Department of Trade and Economic Development has advised that the State Procurement Board's Annual Report for 2006-07 indicates of the $3.3 billion state government expenditure on goods and services (excluding capital works) the overwhelming majority of significant purchasing activity was committed to being undertaken through South Australian suppliers at 84 per cent.

2. As at 31 January 2008 there were 1,202 Mitsubishi 380s and 89 Mitsubishi Magnas in the fleet, which represents 15.4 per cent of the total fleet. This is substantially higher than the 1 per cent of vehicles sales in Australia in 2007 that were Mitsubishi 380s. As at 31 January 2008 there were also 3,102 South Australian made Holden vehicles, which represents 37.1 per cent of the total fleet. In the 12 months to 31 July 2007, 3,441 vehicles were purchased by the State Government, of which 1,876 were made in South Australia.

3. Fleet SA provides a central fleet management role for the state government, and is responsible for the purchase of all passenger and light commercial motor vehicles.

4. Australian vehicle manufacturers only make passenger or passenger derivative vehicles. Given this, the state government's operational requirements for light commercial motor vehicles cannot be met by locally produced vehicles.

With regard to passenger vehicles however, only Australian made passenger vehicles are currently purchased by the government, with the exception of the Toyota Prius, a Hybrid vehicle that assists the government in meeting a small car need and environmental targets. Any revision to this policy would need to consider cost effectiveness, environmental targets, best practice fleet management and vehicles being fit for purpose to meet government's ongoing needs.