Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I was trying to explain to the Senate what an important decision this was, and I was hoping that the opposition was going to support this important development for the Australian car industry. This contribution of $35 million for the hybrid Camrys will be part of a package that will be negotiated with Toyota and that will support their decision. They have made it very clear that this has been helpful in them coming to their decision about where to invest. As a condition of the capital, the Commonwealth will require the $35 million to be invested in research and development and retooling the plant and equipment to produce the hybrid

The government will work with Toyota on a contract that builds in R&D and innovation milestones. The contractual arrangements are yet to be entered into, but Toyota welcomed the government’s decision. We think it is a very important step in providing more fuel efficient cars. I do not know whether the interjection reflects the fact that the opposition have a policy decision today to oppose the decision. Like all of their policies at the moment, I am never quite sure what they are in favour of or what they are against, and we never seem to find out until the vote. I notice from Mr Nelson’s comments this morning, some of the things he opposed in the budget seem to have dropped off the list. But this is a very important development.