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

I thank the senator for his question and I acknowledge his ongoing interest in this matter. I trust the senator is aware that Blade Electric Vehicles are currently in negotiations with General Motors Holden and, as I understand it, there has been no suggestion by General Motors Holden that Blade Electric Vehicles have been denied access to its products. I thank the senator for giving me the courtesy of advising me that he was going to ask this question, so I ensured we contacted General Motors Holden to ask the direct question: are you denying access? I have been advised that General Motors Holden has offered Blade access to its vehicles on the very same basis that it offered access to its vehicles to the EV consortia. As we know, these are matters of commercial negotiation between the respective companies. It is not a matter that the government seeks to involve itself in directly. However, if the senator is aware of evidence to the contrary with regard to restrictive commercial practices by any party, I trust he will refer them to the proper authorities.