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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-25 Daily Xml
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Automotive Industry

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (15:09): Thank you very much, sir, and thank you, the member for Morialta. My question is to the Minister for Automotive Transformation. Can the minister inform the house about the progress of the Automotive Transformation Taskforce?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for the Public Sector) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his question. I know how concerned he is about the fate of the thousands of South Australians who are caught up in the loss of Holden and its supply chain. This government is committed to supporting automotive workers and their families who will inevitably face the question, 'What do I do now?' The transition the manufacturing sector now faces will be painful, it will mean the loss of thousands of highly skilled jobs and it will hurt South Australian families. The reality is that a significant number of local and international businesses are going to close their doors when the last Commodore rolls off the iconic Elizabeth assembly line, and those jobs the plant supported will be lost to us forever.

Unlike the federal government, this government is doing all it can to cushion the blow of this painful transition. That's why we've established the Automotive Transformation Taskforce, which is being led by former industry minister Greg Combet. Guided by a board of experts and supported by dedicated public servants, the task force has begun the task of responding to the loss of the three major automakers and to the effect that that will have on suppliers.

I can announce today that the task force has developed a $7.3 million Automotive Workers in Transition program to assist employees threatened by job losses in the supply chain. Personalised support packages which begin with career development and skills recognition and progress to training and upskilling will be available for every worker not employed by GM but directly affected by the closure of Holden. Much of this work will need to take place while the workers are still employed, and the task force is working closely with employees and supply chain companies to coordinate this effort.

We will also look to directly engage with workers through local NGOs and community organisations to ensure that not one family misses out on the support they will need. The Automotive Workers in Transition program complements the $15 million in support that Holden workers will receive, contributed by Holden to the commonwealth growth fund. The workers in transition program will be open in November for eligible applicants, and I encourage workers in the Holden supply chain to contact the Beyond Auto hotline or to visit Beyond Auto at sa.gov.au for further information. I urge members who are aware of any workers who are caught up in that situation to be directed to that hotline to seek further assistance.

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