Still no deal between SA and Holden

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill met with Holden boss Mike Devereux in Melbourne today to map out another survival strategy, but he returned without a signed agreement.

Mr Weatherill said the government is demanding security for the workforce at Holden’s Elizabeth plant for the next 10 years before handing over $50 million in subsidies.

While Holden had described the meeting as routine, Mr Weatherill was trying to make it more significant.

His original plan was put on the table last year and touted to be the savior of the company, but it wasn;t signed then and it still isn’t signed now.

“This is obviously the first time they’ve had a detailed conversation about a document we’ve put to them,” Mr Weatherill said.

He said he received a good hearing, but there will be little progress until after the federal election.

Mr Weatherill blamed growing uncertainty on Tony Abbott’s promised cuts to manufacturing grants of $500 million.

The South Australian Opposition has accused Mr Weatherill of clutching at straws with the timing of the Holden meeting.

“There is no need to actually call press conferences, jump on planes, to somehow demonstrate to people that you’re actually doing something about it,” Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said.