Media Statement - 27th October 2007
Comments by Toyota executive Tokuichi Uranishi in Japan on Thursday night, reported in today’s Weekend Australian, highlight the need for Federal Labor’s fresh approach to industry policy.
The key to securing the future of the industry is for the Federal Government to work in partnership with the industry to help it meet the challenges of the future – particularly the challenge of climate change.
This can only be done through innovation – applying new ideas and new technologies to stay ahead of our competitors.
That’s why Federal Labor has announced a $500 million Green Car Partnership with the industry, to secure $2 billion of investment in research and development to build fuel efficient cars here in Australia.
This is a responsible approach – meeting the challenge of climate change while securing Australian jobs.
Federal Labor has also committed to starting the scheduled review of the automotive industry as soon as possible and will look at all issues affecting competitiveness.
What we’re talking about is facilitating greater investment in R&D and new technology.
In a rapidly changing world, the Howard Government’s set-and-forget policy is not good economic management – it’s simply neglect.
By contrast, Federal Labor understands the strategic importance of the automotive sector and securing high wage, high skill jobs for our children, while tackling the challenge of climate change.
A Rudd Labor Government’s new leadership on manufacturing will be good news for the car industry and for the families of the 80,000 Australians directly employed in the sector.