South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill hopes the Productivity Commission will hear a united message on the importance of the car industry at today’s hearing in Adelaide.

There will be submissions from the State Government, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and others including industry body the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and manufacturing industry expert Professor Goran Roos.

Unionists plan to rally outside the hearing to put their message on the threat to jobs if local manufacturing goes.

Mr Weatherill said his key message would be the risk to 13,000 jobs in South Australia if Holden stopped its Australian manufacturing.

“The skills and capabilities that underpin the ability to have a manufacturing industry in our state is crucial for us because the industries that are going to grow in the future – our food industries, our gas and other resources sectors and also the defence sector – really rely upon the skills and capabilities that come out of the car industry,” he said.

The Federal Government says car manufacturers will have to wait until the Productivity Commission reports early next year before it will decide if they will get more taxpayer support.

The SA Premier has been demanding quicker action to ensure Holden stays at Elizabeth in northern Adelaide.