Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Ronaldson, the Minister representing the Minister for Industry. I refer to the government's repeated statements that any further funding for the auto manufacturing industry would be determined after the Productivity Commission inquiry into Australia's auto industry hands down its findings. I also refer to the Prime Minister's comments on Friday that there is not going to be any extra money for the car industry and his confirmation that there was going to be a $500 million cut from the auto industry. Given the inconsistencies between these two statements, what is the government's position?

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The first thing I would say is that honourable senators and those listening today should reflect on what the first question was in this chamber. The first question was about politics—not a question in relation to the future of the car industry but a political question. Senator Carr through Senator Wong started off today talking about the last four days. The last four days have been about the Australian Labor Party playing politics. Have we heard from Senator Carr or Senator Wong in her first question one word about the industry people who survive on the car industry and others? Not one word.

I will make it quite clear where the government is in relation to the car industry. Then I will talk about what Senator Carr did when he was the industry minister, and that is a very long diatribe. I will say this: the government has made it quite clear that we believe in a stable and sustainable motor car industry. Holden themselves have made it quite clear that they agree with our plan for the Productivity Commission timetable. You know, Senator Carr, as I know that there will be an interim report before Christmas. There will be a final report before the end of March. Unlike the Australian Labor Party and unlike Senator Carr, we are running a no-surprises government, and the car industry knows full well— (Time expired)

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, is backgrounding to journalists by senior ministers the 'clean fight' that Mr Macfarlane predicted over car industry funding?

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are a disgrace to this place. The first supplementary is regarding politics again.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, one part of the point of order is on relevance in the process; but, in terms of the statement across the chamber to one of our members, I think that was unparliamentary.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, there is no point of order. The minister now has 50 seconds to address the question. Minister.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order on both sides!

Senator Cormann interjecting—

Senator Wong interjecting—

Order! If you two wish to debate the issue, go out of the chamber and do it. Do not do it in the chamber now. Senator Ronaldson, address the question. You have 50 seconds.

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I make it quite clear that the automotive industry fully understood before the election what our program was. The Australian automotive industry knew well before the election that we would be having a Productivity Commission inquiry in relation to the automotive industry. Holden has taken no objection to that timetable and Holden knows what the process is. But what we will not countenance is a lecture from the Australian Labor Party, whose first question today was a political question not related— (Time expired)

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Minister, is the coalition MP quoted in today's Australian Financial Review correct when he or she says, 'The Prime Minister has abandoned jobs at Holden because he folded to the Nats on GrainCorp, so he's trying to be hairy chested on Holden'?

Honourable senators interjecting —

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! When there is silence on both sides we will proceed.

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again I say to the chamber that Senator Carr had the opportunity to address the issue of the car industry today. He has chosen to play cheap politics, probably a bit like the cheap politics he played in relation to the FBT: no consultation. The former industry minister actually lumbered the automotive industry with a tax that he did not even discuss with them—not one bit of conversation with them. That was going to destroy the automotive industry. It took the coalition to reverse it, it will take the coalition to remove the carbon tax, it will take the coalition to remove the mining tax and we will lift the cost impost off the automotive industry and manufacturing generally.