Scott Morrison

BOUQUETS have showered the Coalition government after winning the federal election but two automotive industry bodies say much work is needed to ensure pre-election commitments are honoured.

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) CEO Geoff Gwilym said the Coalition government had shown goodwill and support for several key policies outlined in the VACC’s election manifesto ‘Keep Australia Moving’.

These included a commitment to supporting Australia’s automotive future, mandating access to service and repair information, and creating an automotive-specific franchise code of conduct.

“These are extremely important issues for the almost 400,000 people working in the automotive industry across the country,” Mr Gwilym said.

“The VACC will continue to work with the new government – and the opposition – in order to see these commitments through.”

Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) CEO David Blackhall added that there were important policy and regulatory issues facing the car retail industry.

“We look forward to working with the government to ensure it remains a viable industry,” he said.

“No issue is more important than making sure that the work conducted by the department of industry, innovation and science in relation to an automotive code of conduct is seen through and implemented. This should be a priority for the next term of government.”

The VACC said in a statement that it reminds prime minister Scott Morrison 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,” Mr Gwilym said.

The VACC’s priorities for the new government are: introduce a mandated motor vehicle insurance and repair industry code of conduct; prioritise skills and training policy initiatives towards the automotive industry; develop a national end-of-life vehicle program; abolish the luxury car tax; and roll out concrete measures for business red-tape reduction and improvements to Australian Consumer Law.

“For an industry that employs 380,000 people and contributes more than $37 billion annually to the Australian economy, it is inconceivable that such key industry priorities have been largely ignored by both major political parties,” Mr Gwilym said.

“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.”

By Neil Dowling