Oz Politicians Fret About GM Holden Chief’s Departure

South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill says GM Holden is in a “very dangerous” situation as a result of the promotion and pending departure of Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux.

Weatherill tells the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Devereux’s transfer to China at the end of the year will make negotiations over the future of Australian vehicle production more difficult.

The Australian government is waiting for a report from the Productivity Commission into the viability of the auto industry before it makes a decision on further financial support for the General Motors subsidiary.

The preliminary report is not due until the end of the year and Weatherill says the delay, combined with Devereux’s departure, are bad signs for GM Holden.

“We are in a very dangerous situation,” he tells ABC. “For every day that the federal government delays in responding to Holden’s proposition about co-investing in the future of this plant, we are getting a day closer to closure.”

“Every day that the federal government waits...and will not commit to the co-investment package means that we have thousands and thousands of jobs in jeopardy in this state.”

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall agrees Devereux’s departure is a “bad indication of where the negotiations are going.” But he continues to back the government’s decision to wait to receive the Productivity Commission report.

“What we need in South Australia is a plan, not just cash every time there is an emergency,” he tells ABC.