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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-10-18 Daily Xml
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Automotive Industry

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Automotive Transformation. Can the minister inform the chamber about events recognising the achievements of automotive manufacturing in South Australia?

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) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for her question—which is the 18th question already this question time. This Friday is, indeed, a sad day: it marks the last ever Holden rolling off the assembly line at the Elizabeth plant after more than half a century of manufacturing.

The workers at Holden have contributed a remarkable amount to the very fabric of this state. We would not be the state we are today without them. Everyone who has contributed, some tens of thousands of individuals who have worked at Holden over the last half a century, should be very, very proud of what they have done. On Sunday it was a fitting way to pay tribute to their efforts. Last Sunday saw the streets of Elizabeth lined with overwhelming pride as thousands of car enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the last half a century of vehicle manufacturing by GM Holden.

The Holden Dream Cruise was a free community event held by GM Holden to say thank you to South Australia and to the generations of employees who have put their heart and soul into Holden’s manufacturing history. Bev Brock, former partner of Holden racing legend, the late Peter Brock, started the giant street parade of cars: more than 1,200 vintage and new Holden cars ranging from models such as Monaros, Toranas, Commodores, Sandman wagons were driven around the 11-kilometre circuit, passing the factory on the Philip Highway, and finishing at the Central District Football Club.

Champion driver, Mark Scaife, took part as a passenger, driven around in a VF SS V Redline by a long-term employee from GM Holden’s plant. The Dream Cruise event continued into the afternoon with performances from an Australian Idol winner and former local, Wes Carr; the winner of the 2012 X Factor, Samantha Jade; and local talent from the Northern Sound System. Three of the last ever Aussie made, limited edition Holden Commodores went under the hammer on Sunday in the live auction, raising a grand total of more than $300,000 for the Smith Family and the Lighthouse Foundation.

It was a distinct pleasure to attend this event at the Elizabeth Oval on Sunday, along with the Premier, and announce a further government and Holden commitment in terms of support for workers. An amount of $600,000 has been committed between the state government and Holden for further outreach programs to keep in contact with automotive workers, both in the supply chain and from Holden, impacted by the closure and to provide counselling and mental health services.

We also announced that GM Holden and the SA government would be joining forces. Up until now, GM Holden has provided a transition service and a transition centre for Holden workers, and the state government has provided similar services for supply chain workers. We are now combining efforts and all automotive workers, be they from Holden or the supply chain, will be able to access these services at either the Holden transition centre on site or through one of the state government locations.

Both Holden and the state government are also extending these services even further so that they continue up until the middle of 2019; workers can continue to access those services or workers who have not registered have until that time to do so. I am proud we are continuing to support and stand up for automotive workers in South Australia.

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