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

The government’s support for the car industry is based on mutual obligation and we make no apology for that. For example, Ford Australia’s sustainable engine initiative involved $230 million worth of new investment. The Commonwealth is contributing $42 million from the Green Car Innovation Fund. The certainty and the support we have provided is enabling the Australian industry to attract new investment even in these very, very tough times. It has ensured that Holden remains on the A-list and as part of the new General Motors.

The last thing we need now is gratuitous meddling that will undermine confidence and call Australia’s support for the car industry into question. The last thing we need now is political point scoring that will put tens of thousands of jobs at risk. I would have thought, after the fiasco of the OzCar email, the Liberals would have learned to stay away from their petty meddling in this industry.