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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-07 Daily Xml
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GENERAL MOTORS HOLDEN

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (15:02): My question is to the Treasurer. On what basis does he claim that a change of policy on the changeover periods for Fleet SA car purchases to assist General Motors Holden would cost the government $45 million? When the government amended its policy in 2005 for changeover arrangements for Fleet SA vehicles from two years and 40,000 kilometres to three years and 60,000 kilometres, minister Wright claimed in a media release dated 8 June 2005 that the change in policy would save the taxpayer $3.4 million per year by 2008-09. But in The Advertiser on Saturday 4 April 2009 the Treasurer, in commenting on a suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition for the policy to be reviewed, said he was not going to subsidise any company to the tune of $45 million per year.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:03): Again, this goes to the wont and habit of the Leader of the Opposition. He will just say whatever policy comes into his mind.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer has the call.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader is warned.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The advice comes from the Department of Treasury and Finance.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: That's funny? The advice came from the Department of Treasury and Finance. The Leader of the Opposition's alternate plan was to go from changing vehicles over every 60,000 kilometres to every 30,000 kilometres. So, you would be turning them over twice as fast. As I said in my interviews, that number builds up, and I am advised that after two or three years that equates to $45 million a year. That is how the Leader of the Opposition—

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The leader will come to order.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: That is how the Leader of the Opposition makes policy on the run. He does not get picked up for it, he does not get asked where the money is coming from or how he justifies his numbers. It just goes out into some ether. As I said, this government will keep this opposition accountable for every promise and commitment it makes—

Mr Williams: You're making it up.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams: You're making it up.

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for MacKillop!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: What do you mean I am making it up?

Mr Williams: $3.4 million, you said.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It is a different thing. You are talking about a different issue.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Again, sir, I am not going to try to answer this by screaming above the opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: I have a supplementary question.

The SPEAKER: Order! The original question was asked by the member for Goyder. The member for Florey.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order. I have called the member for Florey.

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