Automotive Transformation

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Minister for Automotive Transformation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The opposition has been contacted by constituents who will be directly affected by the closure of the Holden plant at Elizabeth. These constituents are concerned that the adjustment support provided has focused on recognising existing skills, not equipping workers with new ones. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is any of the funding available for automotive transformation being spent primarily on formally recognising the existing skills of Holden workers?

2. If so, could the minister explain how recognising a worker's existing skills better equips him or her to find a new job in a transformed economy?

3. Is it the case that Holden workers who complete the automotive transformation program will be eligible for a larger redundancy payment from Holden's?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for his question. In terms of workers in the automotive industry, workers who work directly for Holden are given a suite of services and help, including skills recognition, career advice and some help with training directly by Holden, as they should, and Holden is doing a very good job with that. For the supply chain workers, the government is providing a similar level of support through our automotive workers in transition program, and that support varies from worker to worker depending on their needs. It includes things such as skills recognition, career advice and also training.

The components of what makes up those elements of the services that are provided to a worker are tailored to that individual worker. Some workers do and will have readily transferable skills that the skills recognition process can help with, and other things like help with resume writing and job applications. But for other workers, through doing some of that skills recognition, it is recognised that there is further training that needs to be developed, and the government does provide some support for that further training as well.