South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill appears likely to be swept up in a bipartisan approach to Holden after new federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane outlined a full house of political interests in the negotiations with the car maker regarding its future.
Macfarlane revealed today his first act after returning to his role as Industry Minister was to text Holden boss Mike Devereux to set out a pathway to resolve the company’s future in Australia.
“I want to come down to the plant and walk around the plant with you,” he told Devereux.
“You know I’m bipartisan, prepared to cooperate with both sides of politics and the unions … and as long as no-one starts to play games, let’s see what we can do in the next two months.”
Weatherill had already written to Prime Minister Tony Abbott pleading for him to commit to a $275 million co-investment package for the car maker.
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Now, it seems, all players will be at the table after Macfarlane opened up the invitation list.
“Jay Weatherill and his deputy; Tom Kenyon the industry minister,” Macfarlane told ABC Radio’s AM program today.
“I also wanted to make sure the Opposition were involved in South Australia, so the State Opposition Leader Steven Marshall and shadow industry minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, because we do have a state election coming and I don’t want the issue to be politicised.
“Nick Xenophon has rung and he wanted to come along and that’s fine.
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“Nick’s a great representative of South Australian with 25 per cent of the vote and you can’t argue with democracy..he’s a straight guy and believes in South Australia.
“I want to see the plant, walk through the plant; I’m on the side of the car industry and I want to see it succeed.”
The most recent assistance package of $275 million was negotiated with the former Gillard government to ensure Holden continues local manufacturing until 2022.
But with the Coalition pledging to cut $500 million annually from car industry funding to 2015, the car maker is concerned about the future of federal subsidies.
Macfarlane said today “we’re going to do all we can” for Holden.
When asked about the Coalition’s policy of removing $500 million in car industry funding, he said there were “massive more issues than the $500 million”.
“I know money is important but … we’ve put a lot of money into that industry,” he said.
“If everyone wants to be flexible, I’ll be flexible (but) I haven’t got a pocket full of money.
“I’m not able to say what will happen until I actually get down there and have a look.”
If Macfarlane has his way, success or failure will have multiple political parents.
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