Motor industry matters for the federal election

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has called on all political parties to acknowledge, and act on, the key issues facing the automotive sector in the build up to the federal election.

Regardless of which party leads the country following the next week's election, the VACC has called for positive outcomes for the automotive industry and small business.

The VACC has identified a number of issues which it believes warrant consideration by the gGovernment, including:

* Funding to better market and promote the retail automotive industry to attract skilled labour and apprentices

* A high-level conference of interested parties to discuss the availability of vehicle service and repair information

* Legislation for only one type of vehicle write-off

* Introduction of specific franchise codes of conduct for new car dealers, motorcycle dealers and farm machinery dealers

* Strengthening and mandating of the Crash Repair industry Code of Conduct

* Abolition of the Luxury Car Tax

* Regulation to require all imported automotive parts to comply with Australian and/or OEM standards

* Removal of the unfair dismissal provisions of the Fair Work Act for small business

* Establishment of a national Small Business Ombudsman

* Appointment by federal government of a small business minister in cabinet;

* Inquiry into the effect of the various taxes, charges and other imposts on small business. Implementation of recommendations of the Henry Report which would benefit small business

* Clarification of how the superannuation increase will be paid for and that any increase be paid for out of general taxation receipts or foregone wage increases, supplemented by a modest co-contribution by employees.

"The retail automotive industry has serious issues to contend with and needs federal government assistance and support in various areas, particularly in relation to marketing and promoting itself to the community at large, in order to attract the skilled labour it will need to remain viable in the years ahead," VACC executive director, David Purchase, said.