Industry insights

16 January 2023

As 2023 gains momentum, VACC is preparing to meet with Victoria’s new Cabinet following the 2022 Victorian State election. The result saw the Andrews Labor Government returned to power by a significant majority. 

The Victorian Legislative Council (Upper House) will be made up of 15 Labor MPs (six short of a majority), 14 Liberal-National Coalition, four Greens, two Legalise Cannabis MPs and single representatives from the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), One Nation, Liberal Democrats, the Animal Justice Party and the Shooters Fishers and Farmers. 

In the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) Labor won 56 seats (an increase of one from 2018) and the Liberal-Nationals Coalition maintained their overall total of 27 seats. The Greens won four seats. This means the cross-bench in the Upper House, will once again, be as important as ever in the debate of new or existing state legislation. 

Part of these discussions with government will include our ongoing advocacy to establish a dedicated ZLEV transition taskforce, with automotive retail at its core. VACC has engaged with the Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and Minister for the State Electricity Commission the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP and her department to take this forward now the government is out of caretaker mode. We will also continue our push to have minimum safety and training standards implemented for electric vehicle technicians by way of a licensed repairer’s scheme amongst a range of other policy priorities outlined in our Fully Charged policy document.  

Also of note, in January this year, the policy team submitted our State Pre-Budget submission (available on the VACC website). Acknowledging Victoria – and Australia – is experiencing fiscal austerity and high inflation, VACC maintains its stance on the reduction of outdated or inequitable duties levied at the Victorian automotive aftermarket. This includes the abolition or reduction in state-based payroll tax, the removal of the super-luxury tax and the modernisation of Motor Vehicle Duty In The Duties Act 2000 (Vic).

The issue of accessing talent remains an ongoing industry-wide problem, and one that VACC is acutely aware. While there are no quick fixes, I want to assure members VACC is doing all it can behind the scenes with the Federal Government to find a practical, workable, short and long term solution.
 
Most recently, VACC provided submissions to the Department of Home Affairs consultation A migration system for Australia’s future, along with input to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Migration, Pathway to Nation Building consultation. VACC seeks not only mutual recognition of relevant automotive trade qualifications from relevant countries, but also the acceleration of visa processing and skills assessments to enable our members to access the talent sooner than the nine to 12-month period currently experienced.  

Finally, a reminder that Industry Policy Advisors (IPA) do not just meet with government and regulatory bodies. A key aspect of our jobs is being out in the membership, learning directly from business, and the issues affecting your day-to-day. For example, IPA Michael McKenna has recently concluded extensive dealership briefings regarding Australian Consumer Law and manufacturers’ indemnity. These sessions outlined dealers’ rights and obligations as a supplier. The seminars had a heavy focus on ensuring dealerships are well versed in their legislated responsibilities (keeping them out of trouble!) and are free to members.

I encourage you to reach out to the policy team anytime to discuss any industry concerns or have us come and visit – the team is listed on the VACC website. 

Words: VACC Lead, Strategy and Policy Dr Imogen Reid. To be featured in Australasian Automotive February 2023.