Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

There are thousands of workers today who will go home. Their families—their kids and their husbands or wives—will say to them, 'What does this mean, Mum?' or 'What does this mean, Dad?' and 'What does this mean for your job?' The parents will have to say to them that they are going to lose their jobs. This is the worst part of this announcement today. As much as some here might wish to yell out and make political points—

Government members interjecting—

There is something about a self-fulfilling prophecy there. Our hearts are concerned for the families who, before Christmas, found this out. The opposition is most upset for these families because we know that it is not the workers' fault that they have lost their jobs. At least let there be, in this parliament here, a truce on blaming the workforce for what has happened. These are skilled workers. It is not just direct employees at Holden, be they in South Australia—

Mrs Griggs interjecting—

I have no idea why the member for Solomon is shaking her head. We are talking about skilled workers who have lost their jobs, Madam. We are talking about people who will go home tonight to tell their families that they have lost their jobs—and it is not the fault of the people we are talking about. It is not just the direct employees of Holden; there are hundreds of component-manufacturing businesses throughout Victoria and South Australia who make products which go into these motor cars.

Frankly, the opposition is appalled by today's announcement. We are appalled when people say, 'This is not a political issue, but—by the way—we will not provide half a billion dollars in funding.' We are appalled when people say, 'This is not a political issue,' when it is clear that there have been divisions within the government on this question. We are also appalled that a major company, which has been building motor cars in this country since after the Second World War, has effectively been goaded into giving up on this country.

Opposition members interjecting—

The government says—

Government members interjecting—

Madam Speaker, I know they are the government. But I would like to see this House—

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