Deputy Prime Minister visits VACC

11 December 2018

The VACC Executive Board has met with Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Michael McCormack MP to raise a number of issues central to the wellbeing of the automotive industry in particular and small business generally.

The Deputy Prime Minister heard of the continuing need to fast-track equitable access of vehicle service and repair technical information across the whole industry. Ongoing concerns were also raised around the limitations of the Australian franchise code and the degree to which investment by franchisees presented significant risks, and where franchise agreements were insufficient in their protections.

VACC Director, Paul Bertoli from Bertoli's Farm Machinery, Shepparton, raised the important matter of water provision in regional Victoria and the Deputy Prime Minister agreed that any plans for the management of water would need to ensure the viability of businesses in regional areas and, in particular, those in farming communities. 

The meeting provided an important opportunity for VACC to raise key issues and to ensure the Deputy Prime Minister is aware of tightening industry conditions, and in many cases margin compression, across many automotive industry sectors.

VACC thanks the Deputy Prime Minister for his engagement and for taking the time to listen to the automotive industry.