Statement - Meeting with Holden
24 Feb 2016
Media release Today I met with CEO of General Motors Australia, Mr Mark Bernhard, to discuss the transition of the automotive industry and in particular the proposal of Guido Dumarey and the Punch Corporation regarding the auto manufacturing plant at Elizabeth.
I reiterated my strong support for the Punch proposal and urged General Motors to carefully consider it as a viable option for continuing the auto industry in South Australia once the company leaves next year. They assured me that they would leave no stone unturned to see the proposal succeed, if in fact, it is a viable proposal. They also assured me that the proposal would not fail because of anything General Motors might do or fail to do.
The Australian Government is committed to working constructively with Punch Corporation and General Motors to try to progress this opportunity, but I must stress that the proposal continues to be in its early stages.