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Tony Abbott considers swapping his Holdens for bombproof BMWs Tony Abbott considers swapping his Holdens for bombproof BMWs
(35 minutes later)
Holden has rejected claims it did not bid to supply Tony Abbott with armoured cars after reports emerged the prime minister’s office was planning to ditch its fleet of Holdens for bombproof BMWs.Holden has rejected claims it did not bid to supply Tony Abbott with armoured cars after reports emerged the prime minister’s office was planning to ditch its fleet of Holdens for bombproof BMWs.
The car manufacturer said it was also not made aware of an opportunity to supply 20 armoured cars for the G20 summit in Brisbane, but in a statement to Guardian Australia said it would be interested in tendering for that too.The car manufacturer said it was also not made aware of an opportunity to supply 20 armoured cars for the G20 summit in Brisbane, but in a statement to Guardian Australia said it would be interested in tendering for that too.
The nine Holden Caprices used by the government regularly are being replaced in a contract worth more than $4m to the successful tender.The nine Holden Caprices used by the government regularly are being replaced in a contract worth more than $4m to the successful tender.
No official decision has been made but the Daily Telegraph reported, citing anonymous government sources, says the prime minister’s office is leaning towards buying up bombproof BMWs after Holden failed to put in a bid. No official decision has been made but the Daily Telegraph reported, citing anonymous government sources, that the prime minister’s office is leaning towards buying up bombproof BMWs after Holden failed to put in a bid.
Holden has disputed the claim, saying it is involved in two of the bids and still hopeful of clinching the contract.Holden has disputed the claim, saying it is involved in two of the bids and still hopeful of clinching the contract.
A spokeswoman said the company was unaware of the separate tender to supply 20 armoured cars to international leaders during next year’s G20.A spokeswoman said the company was unaware of the separate tender to supply 20 armoured cars to international leaders during next year’s G20.
“We’ve had no formal request from the government to supply armoured vehicles for the G20 summit but we would be interested to look at this opportunity,” she said.“We’ve had no formal request from the government to supply armoured vehicles for the G20 summit but we would be interested to look at this opportunity,” she said.
Holden is already supplying a fleet of 60 cars to the G20, made up of 40 Caprices and 20 Calais vehicles.Holden is already supplying a fleet of 60 cars to the G20, made up of 40 Caprices and 20 Calais vehicles.
A spokesman for prime minister did not confirm a decision had been reached.A spokesman for prime minister did not confirm a decision had been reached.
“We can’t comment on the procurement process, but the government’s priority is to get a replacement fleet of armoured cars that meet security specification requirements at the best value for taxpayers,” he said.“We can’t comment on the procurement process, but the government’s priority is to get a replacement fleet of armoured cars that meet security specification requirements at the best value for taxpayers,” he said.
The possibility of Holdens being ditched as the cars of choice for the prime minister comes as the manufacturer’s future in Australia is on unstable footing.The possibility of Holdens being ditched as the cars of choice for the prime minister comes as the manufacturer’s future in Australia is on unstable footing.
After reports the company was considering pulling out of Australia because of questions about the sustainability of its operation in the country, the government has written to Holden demanding an immediate statement on its plans for the Australian plants.After reports the company was considering pulling out of Australia because of questions about the sustainability of its operation in the country, the government has written to Holden demanding an immediate statement on its plans for the Australian plants.
However, Holden is yet to hear the outcome of an important government-commissioned report from the productivity commission which will determine whether the Coalition offers long-term government funding.However, Holden is yet to hear the outcome of an important government-commissioned report from the productivity commission which will determine whether the Coalition offers long-term government funding.
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