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Goal to still be building cars: Macfarlane

The coalition government hopes to work with the car industry and unions to keep Australians making vehicles well into the next decade.

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Source: AAP


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Incoming industry minister Ian Macfarlane hopes to drive an Australian-made car for many years to come.

Mr Macfarlane, who returns to the industry portfolio as the coalition returns to government, says he plans to visit the Holden factory in Adelaide and Toyota factory in Melbourne soon.

He's already spoken with Holden boss Mike Devereux.

"The goal is to be still building cars here well and truly into the 2020s and make sure that we've got a car that not only Australia wants to buy but also the world," Mr Macfarlane told ABC radio on Tuesday.

"The Abbott government combined with the car industry and hopefully with the unions as well will do everything we can to give the industry every chance of being here."

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He looked forward to being able to drive an Australian-made car for his ministerial vehicle - although said he'd have to "choose between my two children" in terms of picking which marque.

Whichever he chose, "I'll be proud to drive it every day that I do and I look forward to driving the successive models".


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