ADDRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MP
TOYOTA PLANT, ALTONA MELBOURNE, 4 MARCH 1992
1
Mr Toyoda, Premier Kirner, Mr Yamaguchi, Mr Johnston,
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
This is a great day for our motor vehicle industry. It is
also a great day for Australian industry.
The people gathered here are representative of the new
direction in Australia progress in partnerships.
Increasingly in Australia we are recognising that there
is strength in partnerships between government and
business, business and unions. Between Commonwealth and
State governments.
We are recognising how much there is to be gained from
being a nation with unity of purpose.
It is for the same reason that we seek partnerships with
business in other countries, particularly in countries in
our region.
We seek them because we know that is where our future
strength substantially lies in integration with global
markets, and integration especially with Asia and the
Pacific. Japan, of course, is one of our great partners and
there is no better example of the partnership than that
with Toyota.
Toyota came to Australia thirty years ago. It was a very
different place. We were more insular, dare I say more
British, in those days?
Certainly there was a great deal more apprehension about
the region in which we lived, and a failure to comprehend
the change that was about to occur there.
Given the speed and the dimensions of that change, it's a
failure we might be forgiven but when we failed in that
we also failed to understand much of our future reality.
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Last year Toyota sold more cars than anyone else in
Australia. Today the one millionth Toyota will be driven off the
assembly line.
On a day like this there are a great many things which
could be said in praise of the Toyota company.
Not only in regard to its world leadership in the motor
industry and the role of Dr Toyoda, but its faith in this
country and its people.
It is the commitment to quality which has made Toyota the
number one car manufacturer in Australia in 1991.
But, given Toyota's legendary determination to look to
the future, it is more appropriate to talk about this new
plant this: new investment in the Australian motor
vehicle industry.
Toyota's decision to build this new plant is a very
welcome show of confidence.
It is a major turning point in our manufacturing
industry. It's no less significant for the car industry
than the decision of General Motors to build Holdens in
Australia in. the 1940s.
For with this new plant Australia will enter world
markets with a world product for the first time.
It's worth remembering that this was the first country
outside Japan in which Japanese companies established
vehicle manufacturing facilities.
It is pleasing to have Toyota say again loudly this is
a good place to manufacture.
We are delighted to have Toyota demonstrate that they
share our belief in the industry's ability to be
competitive in the world.
It demonstrates that our intention to cut tariff rates to
and end quotas has not only not meant the end of
investment, but ' a renewal of it.
Indeed, a new car industry is being built.
Above all, this new plant is proof that Australia can do
what it hiust do build an internationally competitive
manufacturing industry.
And to do that we must do a great deal more of what has
been done here.
The creative workplace agreement between Toyota and 6000
employees reached here last December sets a new benchmark
for industrial relations in this country.
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All concerned will benefit and that means all
Australians. It's the kind of workplace agreement which will
increasingly characterise business in Australia.
Mr Toyada, ladies and gentlemen, you may take this
ceremony today as signalling the emergence of a much
stronger Australia in the 1990s.
Stronger through partnerships like this through
creative workplace environments such as this one will be.
Stronger through greater incentives for business to
invest in worthwhile long term projects. With low
interest rates, low inflation and low cost of labour
giving us a cost of capital regime at least competitive
with other countries.
You will see us stronger through a vastly improved
infrastructure. Through more efficient ports, new and
better roads and, at last, a highly efficient,
competitive rcail system. Through cheaper electricity
under the National Grid Corporation.
Above all you will see a stronger Australia emerging from
a clearer sense of direction, a robust and mature
national identity.
I believe you will see that manifest in countless ways:
from the new commitment, creativity and purpose of
Australian workers to the willingness and determination
of government to venture forth and strike new
partnerships in the world and in our region.
You are going to see in future an Australia of much more
independent mind and of wholehearted belief in the
future.
We Australians may take great heart from this ceremony
today. It is a landmark in our history a very
significant step forward.
In this context I want to take the opportunity to
congratulate my colleague and friend, the Minister for
Industry, technology and Commerce, Senator Button, who
has done more for Australian industry than perhaps any
other politician'this century and who will be regarded as
one of this country's greatest reformers. This ceremony
today might well'be seen as being in part a tribute to
his efforts.
It remains for me to congratulate the Toyota Company, the
unions and workers, and everyone else associated with the
project. I wish you all well with this great enterprise.