Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. I refer to the minister's responsibility for budget policy advice and processes and review of government programs. Is the minister aware that for an average of $300 million per annum the government can save the entire auto industry? Has the government given up all hope of attracting over a billion dollars in new investment from General Motors Holden? Is the government aware that it can secure this investment for much less than $150 million per annum post-2017?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. I am aware of reports in the media this morning where Senator Carr was quoted as saying that for less than $150 million a year he knew that we could save the car industry. If he knew that, why didn't he sign the deal? If he had that deal in front of him, why didn't he sign it? We know that, under Labor, Mitsubishi left Australia. Under Labor, Ford left Australia. And, of course, under Labor, the carbon tax and the fringe benefits tax came in. All of the chaos, dysfunction and uncertainty that Labor imposed on industry across the board has caused significant problems. We are dealing with the problems that we inherited from the Labor Party in a calm and methodical fashion. There is all of this background briefing by Senator Carr after the event—'If only we had another $150 million, we could have sorted it all out.' If it was so easy, why didn't you do it?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! I am waiting to call Senator Gallacher. On my left.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I note that senior government ministers have tried to shift the blame to Holden. How can the company be expected to make a billion-dollar investment without knowing where this government stands?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the Prime Minister's comments last Friday that it is time for Holden to clarify its intentions, because the Holden workers and the Holden suppliers deserve to know what Holden's intentions are. Of course the coalition is committed to a strong and viable car industry which can stand on its own two feet, but we need to know what Holden's intentions are; we deserve to know. More importantly, the workers and suppliers of Holden deserve to know what its intentions are.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is Senator Cormann one of the senior ministers or is it just the Treasurer leaking against Minister Macfarlane?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order!

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a ridiculously juvenile question. I have just put my views on the record.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! When there is silence, I will give the senator the call.