Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In 1971, the year before I was born, Steve Hollingworth began on afternoon shift at Holden. He worked there for 36 years. He was a great supporter of the industry and of the vehicle division of the AMWU—prior to that, it was the vehicle builders' union. Steve still lives in the north, still has a lot heart and still has a connection to the plant because his son works there. He sent a letter to the union, and I would like to read the last paragraph: 'On 20 October, the lion's heart will stop beating. The gates will close for the last time, and it will all be gone. It's so sad that there has to be an end to an industry where employees worked so hard to keep this Holden plant working. Fellow Holden workers, I salute you—a great job done. You can walk away proud of your achievements.' That is certainly true.

Last week I was at the Holden plant and they informed me that, of all the plants in the world, the GMH Elizabeth plant is the top plant in the world for quality. It has been the top plant in the world for the last four months, beating every other GM factory in the world. And it is just months away from closure. These workers are going out with their heads held high, despite those opposite damaging their reputations. They are ending world's best practice.

Ms Flint interjecting—

Yes, I do.

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