The debate between Holden and Ford is arguably the most quintessentially Australian, having split revheads for generations.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd inadvertently found himself at the center of this controversy when he mistakenly referred to a loyal Holden supporter as working for their major competitor, Ford.
While in Adelaide to unveil Labor’s $500 million support package for the automotive industry, Mr. Rudd participated in a BBQ for Holden employees at Salisbury North.
The prime minister invited 43-year-old Shawn Matthews on stage, addressing the small gathering of workers and their families.
According to Mr. Rudd, Mr. Matthews’ father had dedicated 35 years to Holden, while Shawn himself had been with the company for 27 years.
“He mentions that it’s a family legacy, and he has an uncle, an aunt, and two brothers-in-law employed at Ford,” Mr. Rudd remarked, quickly correcting himself after realizing his mistake.
“My apologies, at Holden,” he corrected. “At Holden.”
After regaining his composure, he praised the Matthews family for their “wonderful family narrative.”
“That represents a truly Australian story; that is a genuinely Holden tale,” he commented.
Mr. Matthews expressed appreciation for Labor’s funding pledge for 2020, stating, “We can all maintain our jobs for at least another decade, and ideally continue automobile production.”
“For me, there’s simply no alternative other than Holden,” Mr. Matthews, who works as a technical officer in the manufacturing engineering sector, shared. “I’ve been in the industry since I was 16.”
Electrician Steve Rayson commented that the announcement would help ease the anxiety of workers in the automotive sector.
“It’s challenging to be in a job when you’re unsure of your future day to day,” he noted.
“At least now people can feel a bit more at ease. This uncertainty has weighed heavily on many minds,” he added.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott dismissed the automotive plan, referring to it as a “blank cheque” to the industry and belittling the announcement as humiliating and undignified for Mr. Rudd.
Mr. Rayson said, “I just hope he understands the impact of his words before speaking.”
“It appears he’s not fully informed—he lacks a proper understanding of what the automotive industry entails,” he opined.
“I would gladly engage in a conversation with him,” he added, extending an invitation to the Liberal leader.
Did he believe there was a chance it would be taken up?
“Probably not,” Mr. Rayson chuckled in response.
