Independent Liberal MP Martin Hamilton-Smith has slammed his former party’s failure to support a federal rescue package for Holden.
He said the Liberal Party’s decision to support its federal counterparts rather than a local industry was one of the key reasons he severed his 17 year link with the party he once led.
“We failed the automotive business sector and we failed the workers and their families,” Hamilton-Smith told an SA Press Club lunch today.
“I was not happy with our position on Holden.
“I had successfully argued to the party room that we should fight hard to save the company and to argue for a federal rescue package to at least extend the economic transition over a longer period.
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“This agreed position was overlooked and rejected.
“Not only did we fail to stand up for Holden but certain actions were taken against my advice to actively rip the company down.”
Hamilton-Smith resigned from the Liberal Party last month, taking up an offer from Premier Jay Weatherill to serve in the Labor Government Ministry as Minister for Minister for Investment, Trade, Defence Industries and Veterans Affairs.
He told the press club gathering he had begun to consider his position on the eve of the March state election.
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“The epiphany for me was the fourth loss in March, which I predicted and expected, and then the denial.
“Four election weddings and then a funeral.
“No one has yet accepted any responsibility.
“There has been no meaningful debrief or identification of the failures. The line-up is the same. Almost nothing has changed. The party has simply argued the toss, questioned the election scoreboard and grizzled about seat boundaries.”
Hamilton-Smith also revealed he had prepared a policy document on mining and energy resources which was never released.
“The State Liberals went to the last election without a policy on mining and energy resources development. I had written it many weeks before,” he said.
“It was agreed to by the party room. It was just never released. A $3.1 billion industry employing 15,400 people directly, not to mention the spill-over benefits for the manufacturing, transport and construction sectors.
“The industry is truly at a crossroads with the Olympic Dam deferral and the growth opportunities in the Cooper Basin and the west coast.
“The State Liberals didn’t offer a single dollar or a single idea to act on these incredible opportunities and challenges.”
He said he intended to stand for re-election in the seat of Waite at the next election.
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