Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I am happy to answer the question. I will say this about Senator Minchin: he is one of the few senators on that side of the chamber who actually has an interest in the Australian automotive industry. He is one of the few senators on that side who actually understands what it means to the Australian economy to have a sustainable automotive industry. It is certainly not the view of the official representative for innovation on the coalition side. He is one of the few senators who understands how important the automotive industry in this country is to Australian manufacturing or to the nearly 70,000 Australians that depend upon the sustainability of this industry to ensure their livelihoods. This is an industry that provides high-skill, high-wage jobs to this country. But all we hear from the opposition is constant attack upon this industry.