Holden Exhibition

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Automotive Transformation. Can the minister tell the chamber how the South Australian government is helping to preserve the history of our automotive industry?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this area. Before I get onto the substance of the answer to this question, I have been able to find some further information for the Hon. David Ridgway's question about the bus project in northern Adelaide, which also speaks to the transformation of Holden out of the automotive industry.

I think in my answer I talked about approximately 30 jobs. The figure that I have as of mid-June, is that there were 29 Adelaide-based full-time equivalent workers in that Precision Components project with the electric and diesel buses. The further information I have is that, as I indicated, this project has secured a commercial agreement to supply an additional 50 buses to be manufactured in northern Adelaide for use interstate, and that project is expected to take the number of new jobs from that 29, as of mid-June, to approximately 70 new manufacturing jobs in northern Adelaide.

In relation to the Hon. Mr Ngo's question, as we know we are coming to an end of an era with the closure of Holden on 21 October, and it is important to acknowledge the significant contributions that the automotive manufacturing industry, particularly the workers in this industry, have made to South Australia and our economy over many decades. I have said it before in this chamber, but South Australia has a very proud record when it comes to car manufacturing. In fact, we still, and for the next couple of months still, will be one of only 13 countries in the world that can build a car from start to finish. So, it is important that we looked in some way to record and preserve this great legacy to ensure that future generations can understand the importance of auto manufacturing and how the many generations of families who worked for more than half a century in this industry contributed to this state's prosperity.

As I said, it is very sad to think that in only some weeks now, on 21 October, automotive manufacturing at Holden will come to an end. The workers at Holden, and in every part of the component supply chain, should be very proud of all they have achieved. Through partnership with the National Motor Museum and the History Trust of South Australia, a permanent exhibition will be installed at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. This exhibition adds to the museum's restored 1920s petrol station, a selection of motoring-related items and the many vehicles that have helped shape both Australia's motoring and social history.

The exhibition will complement the existing features that have allowed the National Motor Museum to establish its reputation both nationally and internationally. The exhibition, to be named '[Re]assembled', I am advised, will be a world first, replicating six assembly line stations from the GM Holden Elizabeth plant and suspended from the museum ceiling. The exhibition will also be supported by digital displays to add to the experience. Each station will demonstrate a vehicle at the different stages of assembly through to a fully assembled car. The most exciting detail is the final car in the display called 'the signature car' which has been signed by hundreds of recent and current workers from the GM plant at Elizabeth.

I am advised that the total cost of the project is around $600,000, with the state government contributing $110,000 through the Automotive Transformation Taskforce, and an additional $20,000 through Arts SA to assist with preserving some of this proud history of automotive vehicle manufacturing in South Australia. I am also advised that GM Holden has contributed significantly to this exhibition as a tribute to the people, skills and engineering capacity over many decades. I also understand that in-kind construction support is being provided by some of the supply chain companies: Sonnex, Kilic Engineering, Bullock and Partners, Northern Grit Blasting and Toyota Material Handling.

I understand also that other companies keen to assist are in discussions about the assistance they may be able to provide for this permanent exhibition. The funding will ensure that the exhibition can capture the true social history of the South Australian vehicle manufacturing industry, including using videos to project the stories and experiences of auto workers, the community and supply chain companies.

The funding will also sponsor the development of an app and an interactive element, using augmented reality, to support the visitor experience and create an educational program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, maths and social history outcomes. The [Re]assembled exhibition will be open during the Bay to Birdwood rally on 24 September, and I am very pleased that the South Australian government is helping to sponsor this display and capturing this very important history.

As automotive workers transition into new careers or retirement, I am very pleased that there will now be a permanent place where there can be reflection on the past contributions to industry, and I pay tribute to those companies that are contributing to this project.