Labor Government industry assistance in disarray
Jan 18, 2012
Steven Marshall MP
Shadow Minister for Industry & Trade
Shadow Minister for Defence Industries
Shadow Minister for Small Business
Shadow Minister for Science & Information Economy
Shadow Minister for Environment & Conservation
Shadow Minister for Sustainability & Climate Change
Labor Government industry assistance in disarray
Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Steven Marshall has reaffirmed the State Liberal Opposition’s support for Holden and the entire manufacturing sector in South Australia.
“The Liberal Opposition wholeheartedly supports Holden, the automotive sector and the entire manufacturing sector in SA,” Mr Marshall said.
“However, the real issue here is this Labor Government’s complete mismanagement of industry assistance programs.
“The Liberal Opposition is committed to Government assistance which drives innovation, research and development which ultimately leads to building a competitive advantage for our strategic industries in South Australia.
“We are against any State Government subsidy which is simply there to offset Labor’s toxic carbon tax.
“Minister Koutsantonis said today that he supports ‘a bi-partisan strategy’ to look at the long term viability of Holden, but at no point has he approached the Liberal Opposition to even start the conversation on this ‘strategy’.
“Premier Weatherill has not provided any details to the Liberal Opposition about what he has negotiated with Holden. Without seeing the details of his proposal, we don’t know what the options are, what sort of money we’re talking about and even where we will get the money from.”
The Industry Development Committee has been established under the Parliament’s Economic and Finance Standing Committee. This sub-committee was put in place to provide bi-partisan advice to the Treasurer on industry assistance packages. This Committee has not met since 2006.
“If Minister Koutsantonis was serious about supporting industries in South Australia, surely he would be using all the tools at his disposal, including the Industry Development Committee,” Mr Marshall said.
Mr Koutsantonis should concentrate on developing long term strategies to boost industries in South Australia.
“Unfortunately for Mr Koutsantonis his relationship with cars has been controversial. South Australians won’t forget the more than 60 road and traffic offences he committed over a number of years, as exposed when he was the Road Safety Minister.”