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

I have indicated to the Senate that I have had extensive consultations right across the industry about moving quickly to actually improve the green credentials of the Australian automotive industry. I have moved quickly to ensure that we keep manufacturing in Australia. I have moved quickly, in consultation and partnership with the Australian auto industry, to meet the challenges that are confronted by the industry in the immediate period. As a consequence of those conversations, I am confident we will see a rapid transformation of the Australian industry, and I ask the simple question: where does the opposition stand on these issues? Where do you stand on these questions? Why do you have such a visceral hatred for the Australian automotive industry? Why is it that you have such contempt for the future prospects of an industry that actually employs 66,000 Australians, an industry that is prepared and willing to meet the challenges that it is facing and to work with government to produce a rapid transformation of that industry? I am absolutely confident that that challenge will be met and I look forward to the opposition changing its attitude to this industry as it begins to understand how serious the challenges are.