http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBmLnbNRWzc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUhRy6Sd9cRxWVegnonb0OMw
“Save Holdens” Community group
HOLDENS – No Support without shares for Australia.
The only options are not “running after Holdens with a cheque book” or “doing nothing”.
It is not Nationalisation of the Motor Vehicle Industry versus scorched earth swept clean factory floor when Holdens take their bat and ball and go home.
It is not Compulsory Purchase under Constitutional “just terms” or no assistance whatsoever?
The boundaries of the “square” inside which governments have to be working contains other options.
Australia is a mixed economy. Governments are, for instance, involved with the provision funding and management of education, health, sports, the arts, opera and ballet and have just substantially funded the new Adelaide Oval which is situated on public land.
In a mixed economy the government can choose to assist industries. It some cases it may be its duty. These are quite proper political decisions accountable at elections.
Australian Government has no “car manufacturing plan”. No plan for its support, viability or longevity. It has relied on the industry to plan for itself. Industry’s current plan asserts the need for financial support.
Every other country, Asian, Chinese and European, currently supports its home car industry. Germany by four times as much as Holdens are asking for.
Mitsubishi have gone, Ford is leaving, Toyota are working on reductions and Holdens have said they will close here and manufacture elsewhere. Their primary duty is to Detroit GMH – USA and that is how they have been running their Australian sub-branch.
Does this mean that there is no future for car production in Australia? If that is so, then no
more support. Stop it now.
Or.
Can there be an Australian car manufacturing industry in ten years time. What would it have be
like?
It must be market targeted, cost effective, quality built, well
designed, innovative, and competitive, Australian controlled and majority owned.
It must be able to compete internationally and develop its own intellectual property without being part of a global conglomerate. Only then can Australian technical and design and manufacturing ingenuity take its place with BMW and Volvo.
So how do we move from now to then?
If Holdens really are moving out they might well be pleased with a proper exit strategy over 5 to ten years that will see financial support from government used to set up an Australian Public Company to purchase into a controlling share of an Australian Holdens that will leave them with a long term viable share in an industry that will not have to seek unknown and uncertain annual subsidies.
If government does nothing the inevitable will happen and both lib/lab are currently just preparing their “don’t blame us strategy” But please. No more financial support or subsidies without shares.