Holden must make its plans clear: Abbott

THE PRIME Minister has ramped up the pressure on Holden to make its plans clear, saying they've got the country on 'tenterhooks.'

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has called on Holden to make its intentions clear but says there will be no extra taxpayer support for the company.

There are reports the car maker is planning to close its Australian operations from 2016.

"I want Holden to stay, I want the motor industry to survive and flourish in this country," Mr Abbott told Fairfax radio on Friday. "I do wish Holden would clarify their intentions because at the moment they've got everyone on tenterhooks." Mr Abbott says the company appears to be in "two minds" about its future.

"I think they're weighing their options. I think they owe it to the workforce, they owe it to the suppliers, they owe it to the people of Australia to say what they're doing.

"Are they staying or are they going?" Mr Abbott said the coalition took to the election a policy that includes substantial support for the motor industry.

"We stand ready to make that support available," he said.

"But there's not going to be any extra money over and above the generous support the taxpayers have been giving the motor industry for a long time." Mr Abbott says the motor industry has long looked for money from taxpayers.

He says his government is trying to make it easier for all businesses to compete and flourish by bringing down taxes, reducing regulation and restoring confidence.

"That's the best thing we can do for the businesses of Australia, not chase them down the road waving a blank cheque at them," he said.

Mr Abbott said there was currently about half a billion a year in support available to the motor industry.

"We think there's more than enough money on the table. It's available to the motor industry. But there is no more."

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