Australia is one of only 15 countries in the world where vehicles are
manufactured. Vehicle manufacturing is important to general industry, the
Australian economy, employment, skill levels and innovation. Yesterday I was at
the Automotive Centre of Excellence when the Prime Minister announced A New Car
Plan for a Greener Future. The plan defends all of the above, but it also
provides a new direction that embraces environmental challenges whilst at the
same time creating jobs. The $6.2 billion plan will protect the capacity of the
industry. It is a bold plan that is about transforming the industry. It is a
timely announcement that provides a path through what has been — and has been
experienced by many as — a most difficult time for the car industry. It is a
most welcome announcement, and I will make every effort to see that Ford Geelong
and Geelong manufacturing generally take up the challenge and are part of the
solution and part of the plan.
The Labor government and the Labor Party know the importance of
car and car component manufacturing and are proud and keen to defend it and act
to put it on a proper footing for the future. I thank former Victorian Premier
Steve Bracks for all the work he and his team undertook with the Bracks
automotive inquiry, and I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate
Senator Kim Carr and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for their timely, bold and
decisive plan, which gives us all a vehicle-manufacturing industry in this
country into the future.