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

Senator Minchin puts to me that it is the government that answers the question. We are in the process of answering the question. We are in the process of developing decisive action. We are in the process of ensuring that this industry has a future. Senator Minchin would know, of course, that that stands in sharp contrast to the position that was taken by the previous government, which took the view that, in 2002, arrangements were made and the industry should be left on automatic pilot thereafter.

We are in the process of ensuring that we have constant discussions with all aspects of the industry. We are in the process of working with the industry to deal with the implications of the financial crisis as they relate to liquidity issues that arise across the industry—in dealerships and in small and large manufacturing plants. My department has facilitated meetings between the industry, the Treasury and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet concerning this issue. The government has announced the most comprehensive plan the Commonwealth has ever developed—irrespective of which party was in government. We are in the process of answering the challenges, and I would call upon the opposition to support the government in these difficult times.