The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) congratulates the Albanese Labor Government on its victory in the 2022 federal election.
“VACC welcomes the election announcement and looks forward to working closely with the new Australian Government,” said VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym.
“The Labor Government has shown good will and support for key policy priorities outlined in the Chamber’s election manifesto REVolution.
“These are extremely important issues for the over 380,000 people working in the automotive industry within 72,521 businesses across the country.”
But VACC reminds Prime Minister Albanese that there is still much work to be done. “We reiterate to the new government that there are several policy positions that remain overlooked. These need to be addressed and addressed right now,” said Mr Gwilym.
VACC’s priorities for the government include:
• Boost apprentice support
• Improve the eligibility for employers to sponsor skilled migrants
• Commit to extending the recently reformed Franchise Code to include commercial vehicle,motorcycle, farm, and industrial machinery franchise dealers, affording these sectors thesame legislative protections as new car dealers
• Take a leadership role in implementing a national Zero and Low Emission Vehicle policy incollaboration with the automotive retail industry
• Commit to the inclusion of state-based protections under the Australian Consumer Law and Fair-Trading Regulations 2012 (Vic) for the automotive industry with regard to unfair contract terms (UCT), given the interruption of progress of UCT reform at a national level.
“There’s more to do, of course, but if the Australian Government gets these policies quickly into place it will shore up a $40 billion sector. That’s good for every Australian,” said Mr Gwilym. “Regardless, VACC will continue to work with both sides of government to create meaningful reform that recognises and promotes the merits and key needs of the automotive industry amongst policy-makers.”