Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:19 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Senator Ronaldson. Can the minister confirm that the government will cut $500 million to 2015 from the Automotive Transformation Scheme and that on 6 December the Prime Minister pledged that there was not going to be any extra for the automotive industry? Why did the Prime Minister rule out any further assistance when the government had received a business case which would have retained GMH operations in Australia?
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
I do not accept the comment from the shadow minister in relation to the business case. I said in an earlier question—
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
You don't know about it.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
I will take the interjection from Senator Carr. Given the damage you have done to this sector, I find it extraordinary that you ask a question, let alone interject.
John Hogg President
Order! You should address your comments to the chair.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
In relation to Senator Conroy's question, I thought it actually might be of interest to the chamber to know what we will be doing in conjunction with the unions, the South Australian government and the Victorian government in relation to these workers from Holden who will be displaced. I am sure that all reasonable steps will be taken to assist affected workers transitioning to new employment and that affected regions receive assistance to transform their economies. Any workers made redundant from Holden's Elizabeth and Port Melbourne plants are eligible for assistance under the Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program. This provides for immediate access to intensive employment support at this stream 3 level through Job Services Australia.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I raise a point of order on relevance. I am sorry to interrupt the minister giving information on the previous question put to him, because it is about workers, but I refer to Senator Conroy's question, which is about the Prime Minister ruling out further assistance when the government had received a business case. I am asking the minister to answer that question, rather than the previous question.
John Hogg President
I believe the minister is answering the question and he still has 22 seconds remaining to address it.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Thank you, Mr President. I was not asked about that in the previous question. Quite frankly, I am absolutely staggered that when I am talking about the Holden workers, who have been the subject of interjections from across the other side for the last two days, and what we are going to try and do for those men and women— (Time expired)
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:22 pm
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Hopefully, Senator Ronaldson will make an attempt to answer my question this time. I refer to Toyota's statement that Holden's departure:
… will place unprecedented pressure on the local supplier network and our ability to build cars in Australia.
What discussions has the government had with Toyota about its future?
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
3:23 pm
I thank the honourable senator for his question. As Senator Conroy will be aware, the cost imposition for manufacturing in Australia for Toyota is about $3,200 per unit. We have made quite clear all the way through that there is $1 billion of taxpayers' funds going into the automotive sector until 2015 and there will be a further $1,000 million of taxpayers' funds available to the automotive sector after 2015. The government is working closely with Toyota. I do not expect Senator Conroy to be aware of this, and I do not mean that in a negative sense.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science
He's more aware of it than you are!
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
You really are an extraordinary man! In relation to Senator Conroy— (Time expired)
Honourable senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! When there is silence, I will give you the call, Senator Conroy. Senators on my left and right!
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:24 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the government provide additional assistance to Toyota in light of the unprecedented pressure that it now faces, or will you confirm that Mr Abbott has already declared no more funds for Toyota? Will the government treat Toyota the same way it treated Holden and start leaking against Toyota now from the cabinet room?
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
3:25 pm
We have a question and then we have the politics. So congratulations, Senator Conroy, for finishing off on that note. As I said before, this is about the government's relationship with Toyota. The Prime Minister has personally—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Thank you, Mr President. The Prime Minister has spoken personally to the President of Toyota.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
But you don't know about Holden.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
They do not what to hear the answer.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
They're not interested in the answer.
John Hogg President
Order! Minister, ignore interjections; they are disorderly. You have a question that has been asked by Senator Conroy and you need to address that question. You have five seconds remaining.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Thank you, Mr President. As I said earlier on, this government wants Toyota— (Time expired)
Honourable senators interjecting—