Some MPs undermining Holden: Weatherill

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says sections of the federal government are trying to undermine Holden.

Sections of the federal government are deliberately undermining the process to secure Holden's future, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Mr Weatherill says there are some in the federal government who do not want any further funds given to the car maker.

"It's their intention through their actions to undermine the environment in which Holden is going to make a decision about its future," Mr Weatherill said on Friday.

"They want to create the most hostile environment so that Holden will actually take the decision out of their hands by just simply closing."

The premier's comments follow media reports sourced to some federal government ministers that Holden has already decided to close its assembly operations by 2016.

Mr Weatherill said he had spoken to Holden boss Mike Devereux who had rejected the reports and reaffirmed that no decision had yet been made.

He said the leaks to the media were calculated to not only undermine Holden's confidence in the future, but public confidence.

"They're trying to shift the blame to Holden," he said.

"They're saying it's all over to Holden."

Holden on Friday said the reports of its decision were just speculation and reaffirmed it was still fully engaged in the negotiation process with the federal government and the Productivity Commission review of the auto industry.

The company also issued a bulletin to workers on Friday telling them they would be the first to know if the company decides to close its manufacturing operations.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world