General Motor Holden’s closure in Playford, South Australia: Analysis of the policy response and its implications for health
Date
2019-06-20
Authors
Browne-Yung, Kathryn C.
Ziersch, Anna
Baum, Fran
Friel, Sharon
Spoehr, J.
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Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Abstract
Deindustrialisation and the closure of automotive manufacturing can differentially affect the socioeconomic prospects of workers and their communities, and contribute to social and health inequity. We used Bacchi’s problematisation approach to examine the South Australian (SA) Labor government’s policy responses to the General Motors Holden (GMH) Elizabeth plant closure announcement.We focused on the way that these policy responses framed the ‘problem’ of this major economic shock, particularly the extent to which potential social and health equity consequences were addressed. We found a narrow focus on economic strategies, neglecting the compounding impact of poverty in Playford, which may exacerbate health inequity. The community effects from the GMH closure remain uncertain and may be delayed for several years. SArequires better integrated social and economic policies to minimise social and health inequalities, as the consequences of the car manufacturing loss are realised.
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Keywords
general motors holden closure, health equity, policy problematisation
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Source
Australian Journal of Public Administration
Type
Journal article
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Restricted until
2037-12-31