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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-03-04 Daily Xml
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General Motors Holden

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:51): I rise today to speak about the closure of Holden's in Australia. Holden itself has a history deeply rooted in Australian, and of course South Australian, culture. As I am sure it has for many people in this place and those listening today or watching on the video feed, the closure has caused great sadness in our community.

Over the years, this Australian car maker has manufactured many vehicles that have become highly recognised throughout the country. Their story is one of Australian success and started way back in 1856 when James Holden opened the Holden Saddlery, which was a manufacturer of horse saddles, harnesses and equipment. When his son took over the business in 1887, they focused more heavily on vehicles. This was the birth of Holden as we know it today. The famous Holden lion and stone badge was created in 1928, when sculptor George Rayner was hired to create the logo. Prior to this, the Holden logo was actually a winged worker who was kneeling in front of the factory.

Car manufacturing in Australia provided working opportunities for those coming to the country in the waves of post-Second World War immigration. In 1948, Holden manufactured the FX 48-215. This is widely known as the first car made in Australia and for Australia. At the time it was released there were major celebration events in capital cities right around the country, with the car on display as it did a tour of the nation. It was a time when the car you drove was almost a symbol of the value system you had and said a lot about who you were.

One of the more memorable television commercials throughout the 1970s featured the Holden as a hallmark of Australian culture, along with 'football, meat pies and kangaroos'. I am sure members remember that or, if they are not quite old enough to remember that, would be aware of it at least. After many years of success, it was with great sadness that in 2017 Holden's Elizabeth manufacturing plant in Adelaide was shut down. This was the end of the Australian production line for the Holden brand and, as we all know, the manufacturing industry for vehicles closed shortly there afterwards.

The global financial crisis impacted many different businesses and Holden was, unfortunately, no exception. Its parent company, General Motors, was unable to support extensive new investment into the brand and, regrettably, the company became unprofitable. The loss of over 1,000 jobs made an impact in the state, as I am sure the end of Holden now will affect those who were directly employed at the facility the hardest.

Although this loss is challenging not only for South Australians but for Australians who have followed the brand closely, the success of the Australian business over the last few decades must be celebrated and certainly remembered.

The recent Superloop racing car event held in Adelaide has marked the end of an era for Australian car racing fans as well. One of the primary rivalries in the sport is the competition between Holden and Ford that they put themselves through on the track each and every Supercar race. It is the end of the Aussie versus Aussie, so to speak.

I have a nostalgic feeling when I think about the brand itself. One of my very first cars was a Holden, as I am sure it was for many other members here. My brother worked for over 20 years at the Holden factory at Elizabeth. I was a proud Holden owner in an era when most people had either a Ford or a Holden, as I was growing up. I even had when I was in high school—and members may shudder when they think of this—one of those Holden jackets that were very popular in the 1980s.

The brand became an integral part of so many lives in South Australia and it is now ingrained in our history. Although it was in part the distinctive design elements that created the brand, it was also the fact that we were loyal to the Australian brand: the fact that it was an Australian brand created its own following. Its long history defined the company and created this loyalty to the product they produced for so long.

It was an excellent car, particularly the later models, in my experience. I had a number of the later model Commodores over the years and found them to be excellent cars. It was a tribute to Australian manufacturing and it is indeed a tragedy that the brand will no longer be made here in Australia.

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