Automotive Industry

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (16:26): My question is directed to the Minister for Automotive Transformation. In light of reported declining sales of the Holden Commodore and Holden Cruze, both locally manufactured of course, and the recent announcement from General Motors Holden that one variant of the Cruze would cease production, does the government have any plans to increase its ordering of the locally-produced Commodore or Cruze, or are there other arrangements that can be made in order to assist the company through this period?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (16:27): I thank the honourable member for his important question. In relation to government ordering and government procurement policy, that is not my portfolio area, but I will certainly take that question to the relevant minister and bring back a reply. I do note the government is doing many things in many different areas in relation to the future closure of Holden and the decline in our automotive industry.

I mentioned earlier, in a question from the Hon. Gerry Kandelaars, some of the ways we are helping companies in other areas of manufacturing to look to pick up some of the areas where manufacturing will decline. It is true, as the Hon. Dennis Hood knows, that manufacturing has always been a cornerstone of South Australia's economy. It remains critical to securing a diversified economy with sustainable export capability and generating skilled jobs that underpin a high standard of living.

Another program is that in 2012 the state government launched Manufacturing Works, which was primarily in response to the recommendation of former Thinker in Residence Professor Göran Roos in his 2012 Manufacturing into the Future report. Manufacturing Works is a comprehensive advanced manufacturing strategy to accelerate the transition of manufacturing towards higher value-added activities, competing on value for money and not for cost alone.

Manufacturing Works programs are designed to assist firms in responding to the economic conditions that threaten to erode manufacturing and are consistent with both the economic strategic priority to grow advanced manufacturing and with economic priority 6—growth through innovation. All 20 Manufacturing Works initiatives have been implemented to various stages. To date, there are more than 230 manufacturing firms that have participated and/or received support under the Manufacturing Works program. I can give the honourable member more information, but as I—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Tell us about how much the Liberal government in Canberra helped us in terms of Holden's and manufacturing. Tell us how much the Liberals care about workers and their jobs in the north. Tell us how many Liberals get out there and support the workers out at Holden's. Tell us.

The PRESIDENT: There is only one person on their feet, and that is the Hon. Mr Maher. Please, minister.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It is worth remembering, as the honourable and heroic Andrew McLachlan asked me earlier this week—

The PRESIDENT: Gallant.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Gallant, brave, heroic and muskets at dawn Andrew McLachlan—we are in this situation largely because of the federal Liberal Party's decisions. They goaded Holden to leave, and Holden left the country. Now we are in this situation largely because of what they have done.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I am not sure if I heard the interjections correctly, but I might have been asked about submarines. I will have much more to say about that—the single biggest thing that anyone could do to help manufacturing in this state.