‘Soulless Cars Made in China’: Hastie Calls for Local Manufacturing Revival

The fight over Australia’s future pits Hastie’s coal-powered revival against tariffs on China and Labor’s clean energy subsidies.
‘Soulless Cars Made in China’: Hastie Calls for Local Manufacturing Revival
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Hastie at a Coalition joint party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 21, 2025. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie has reignited the debate on Australia’s industrial future, urging a return to car manufacturing while criticising current government policy for pushing “soulless” Chinese-made electric vehicles onto local roads.

His comments, delivered in a social media video alongside an older Australian-made car, tapped into a broader argument over whether Australia needs to reboot its manufacturing base, which has largely been sent offshore to Asia.