Premier Rann must answer urgently what conditions were placed on any financial assistance package recently given to Holden.
When the Rann Government recently announced that Holden had won a big new export order to sell Pontiacs in the United States, it was made clear that the State Government (together with Victorian and Federal Governments) had provided a multi-million dollar financial assistance package.
“In October last year, the Governments collectively injected $13.5 million into a research and development package for Holden.” Kevin Foley, February 8, 2007
Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade Rob Lucas said today that Mr. Rann must indicate whether he insisted on any jobs to be created or jobs to be retained in South Australia before he gave funds to Holden.
“Mr. Rann and Mr. Foley have on many occasions in the past attacked former Governments for ‘picking winners’ and providing ‘corporate welfare.’ They have also argued there should be strict job-related ‘claw back’ conditions with any financial assistance packages.
“Mr. Rann should also answer the simple question: was the Premier aware of the proposed significant job cuts when he agreed to give financial assistance to Holden?
“The Liberal Party expresses its sympathy to the 600 workers and their families and supports any reasonable training and retraining assistance packages offered by State and Federal Governments.”