December 2006
19 December 2006 - Keep your family safe - get your car serviced this Summer
Unroadworthy cars are major risks to families travelling on the State’s roads these holidays, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
18 December 2006 - Don't lose your load this Christmas: check your trailers
Drivers taking their caravans, boats, or trailers out these holidays should have them checked to ensure they’re roadworthy, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
November 2006
27 November 2006 - Congratulations to Labor - now let's get back to business
VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said VACC hoped to build on the good relationship and it enjoyed with the Bracks Government and continue to achieve real gains for businesses in the automotive retail industry...
24 November 2006 - Victorian State Election - VACC Key Issue #13 - Extend the Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Melbourne is the Expo capital of Australia. However, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre has reached its limit in capacity. The Melbourne International Motorshow has outgrown...
24 November 2006 - Victorian State Election - VACC Key Issue #11 - Amend the Motor Car Traders Act
Sanctions for unlicensed and illegal motor car trading (backyard and kerb-side dealers) under the Motor Car Traders Act are inadequate. Unlicensed and backyard traders unfairly compete with...
24 November 2006 - Liberals' land tax cuts better for small business
The Victorian Liberal Party’s pledge for a $285-million land tax cut is good news for small business, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
23 November 2006 - Next Government must commit to cutting the cost at the pump
Petrol prices might have eased recently with reduced crude oil prices, but the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on the next State Government to act to reduce the cost of petrol for motorists...
23 November 2006 - Nationals commit to tax improvements for small business
The National Party has committed to a series of tax reductions which will greatly improve conditions for small businesses in the retail automotive industry, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
23 November 2006 - CAV must act to curb unlicensed motor traders
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) to curb illegal and unlicensed car and parts traders...
23 November 2006 - Victorian State Election - VACC Key Issue #10 - Hand back the GST collected on petrol excise
GST on petrol sales, applied on top of the excise, is a tax on a tax. This contravenes usual taxing principles and the Howard Government's undertakings when introducing the Goods and Service Tax...
21 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #8 - Apply the Occupational Health and Safety Act to Work Vehicles
There is a double standard in the application of health and safety law in relation to work vehicles, as compared to its application to other workplace plant and equipment. Despite warnings from VACC about the risk...
20 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #7 - Increase funding for Trade Training
The quality of trade training in Victoria has slipped due to years of neglect and insufficient funding. Trade training for the automotive industry has not kept pace with community demands nor with the...
19 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #6 - Apply an 'effects-test' to Competition Policy
In many communities, those who contribute most to the economic well-being of the communities they serve are local service providers. These small businesses should not be incritically exposed to rish by the blunt...
18 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #5 - Reduce Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty
Bracket creep has increased stamp duty payable on new car purchases. This duty is now not working as it was intended. The current 'luxury vehicle' price threshold of...
18 November 2006 - Bush use must be catered for and properly managed: VACC
The State Government must consider allocating dedicated, managed, recreational areas to cater for off-road enthusiasts, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
17 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #4 - Eliminate Payroll tax
It not only creates a burden on small and medium businesses, but also puts a brake on their ability to grow, invest, and pursue opportunity...
17 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #3 - Disconnect Land Tax from Property Values
Small business has suffered severely as a result of rising land taxes. Increases in property values do not necessarily (and rarely) coincide with increases in business activity...
16 November 2006 - Victorian State Election, VACC Key Issue #2 - Establish an Office of Regulation
VACC believes there is a strong case for creation of an Office of Regulation, modelled on the US Office of the Small Business Advocate, to sit alongside the Office of the Small Business Commissioner...
15 November 2006 - Pollies must not rule out the power of the PTW vote
Motorcycles, scooters and other powered two-wheelers (PTWs) are a growing force in Victoria and their need for safer road-sharing policy initiatives must be addressed, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce...
13 November 2006 - Next Government must act on small business issues
Candidates in the Victorian State Election must consider their commitment to small business in the lead up to this election, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
10 November 2006 - VWA to tackle WorkCover obligations
The Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) is training a team of WorkSafe Inspectors to inspect workplaces for breaches of employer obligations under the Accident Compensation Act 1985.
9 November 2006 - Next Govt must establish an Office of Regulation
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both political parties to commit to creating an Office of Regulation following the election...
2nd November - Stage Two Water Restrictions are now in place across Melbourne
The VACC has released a list of Stage 2 Water restriction guidelines from the Victorian Government - effective 1 November 2006 across Melbourne. These include business water use.
October 2006
27 October 2006 - Fair Pay Commission's new minimum wage lacks judgement
The Fair Pay Commission’s excessive increase to the new minimum wage will cost jobs, and lead to higher inflation said the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC)...
23 October 2006 - Scooter riders send message to Government
Sunday’s VACC ‘SAFE ROUTES’ Scooter Rally saw more than 350 scooters take to the streets - including some from as far away as Ballarat and Bendigo – to press for better road infrastructure, better licensing laws, and new road-sharing initiatives...
19 October 2006 - Diary note - VACC SAFE ROUTES Scooter Rally - Sunday, 22 October
Scooter riders are being called on to turn out in force for the VACC SAFE ROUTES Scooter Rally, this Sunday, 22 October...
13 October 2006 - Screw number plate thieves' plans with Operation Safeplate
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and the Victorian Police will be thwarting number plate thieves’ plans on Sunday, 22 October with Operation Safeplate at the Docklands Community Safety Day...
10 October 2006 - Government must ensure worker safety behind the wheel
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both political parties in the lead up to the State Election to commit to ensuring the safety of people using workplace vehicles...
9 October 2006 - Screw number plate thieves' plans with Operation Safeplate overnment must ensure worker safety behind the wheel
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and the Victorian Police will be thwarting number plate thieves’ plans on Sunday, 22 October with Operation Safeplate at the Docklands Community Safety Day...
1 October 2006 - Government must ensure worker safety behind the wheel
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both political parties in the lead up to the State Election to commit to ensuring the safety of people using workplace vehicles...
September 2006
26 September 2006 - Victorian new car owners need stamp duty reforms
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on the State Government to review its stamp duty on new and used cars...
14 September 2006 - Labor damns independent service stations' future
Independent service stations face a bleak future after Labor sided with the Coalition to allow the Petroleum Retail Legislation Repeal Bill to pass through the Senate last night, the Victorian Automobile Chamber...
5 September 2006 - Senator Fielding's Oil Code proposal: fairer to independents
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) supports Senator Steve Fielding’s proposed amendments to Minister Macfarlane’s Oil Code legislation...
1 September 2006 - State Govt works with VACC to boost LPG fitter
The State Government’s announcement of funding to train 500 technicians for LPG-fitting will be a great boost to the industry, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
August 2006
31 August 2006 - Use only registered LPG fitters, warns VACC
Motorists need to be patient and ensure they are using only registered LPG fitters, or risk driving an unroadworthy car, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
28 August 2006 - Minister launches Crash Repair Code of Conduct
“From 1 September this year, this voluntary code will ensure motorists insured with the Code’s signatories will see a far more transparent and accountable system in place,” he said...
21 August 2006 - Petrol pain: State Government must act now
While attention has been diverted from the country’s petrol prices with a new LPG subsidy announcement, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on the State Government to act to reduce...
9 August 2006 - LPG conversion subsidy to ease motorists' woes
The Federal Government’s proposed $1000 LPG conversion subsidy would be good for the country and good for motorists wanting to save money on fuel, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), said today...
8 August 2006 - Put $1800 a year into a mortgage with LPG savings
By converting to LPG, Australian households can save at least $1,800 a year on fuel that could be put towards the mortgage the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), said today...
3 August 2006 - Ease the pain - drop the double tax on our petrol
It’s time the Federal Government stopped charging GST on petrol, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), said today...
1 August 2006 - Students start getting creative now for 2020
Young people with an interest in the future of motoring and car design are invited to enter the VACC Target 2020 Competition, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
1 August 2006 - New safety workbook launched during Farm Safety Week
Work-related farm deaths are four times higher than all other industries and a new farm safety training guide will be aiming to cut these figures substantially...
July 2006
27 July 2006 - Pumps pour precise petrol - perfect!
A Consumer Affairs Victoria blitz of 200 petrol station pumps across the State has found almost all were accurate, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
19 July 2006 - A top-to-bottom investigation of petrol prices long overdue
The Federal Government’s petrol price inquiry, set to kick off in August, must rake the industry and oil company practices top-to-bottom to restore transparency to petrol pricing, to win the confidence of motorists...
June 2006
14 June 2006 - Target 2020 set to inspire students in 2006
High school and University students are being encouraged to get started on designs for this year’s VACC Target 2020: Design the Car of the Future competition...
9 June 2006 - Tyre survey reveals alarming ignorance
Do you know how much air to put in your tyres, or how often they should be checked? If not, you could be one of an estimated 733,436 drivers, or one in five, on Victorian roads with at least one unroadworthy...
7 June 2006 - Badly worn or unroadworthy tyres can be killers
VACC, VicRoads, RACV and the TAC are calling on all vehicle owners to check their tyres during Auto Safety Week, 7-15 June...
1 June 2006 - VACC congratulates Minister over new smash repair code
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) congratulates the Federal Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, on her announcement of the new voluntary Code of Conduct for the smash repair industry...
May 2006
30 May 2006 - Budget offers small businesses bigger benefits
Small businesses will benefit from Mr Brumby’s budget with cuts to a number of taxes, apprentice trades bonuses and reduced red tape, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today...
30 May 2006 - Land tax cuts: fairer for small businesses
The State Government’s budget will see major improvements for Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce members with welcomed cuts to land tax...
29 May 2006 - Fairer land tax on VACC's wish-list in State Budget
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is hoping tomorrow’s State Budget will deliver good news with major changes to land tax, making it fairer and more affordable for small businesses...
23 May 2006 - Powered two-wheelers left off the Transport Plan
The Bracks Government has failed to recognise the growing importance of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) in its Transport Plan, released earlier last week...
18 May 2006 - Transport Plan: it's about time transport infrastucture got the attention it needs
VACC Executive Director David Purchase said that while it’s a positive to see real money being directed to Victoria’s transport needs, the Transport Plan announced by the Minister is abstract and lacking in sufficient detail...
18 May 2006 - Scooters sales sky-rocket but riders forgotten in Transport Plan
SCOOTER-rider numbers are soaring in Melbourne and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Government to allow them access to bicycle lanes on city roads...
11 May 2006 - Oil Code: Federal Regional Representatives asleep at the wheel
“Regional Australia’s representatives in the Federal Government have clearly dozed off while the Federal Government slides the proposed Oil Code in under the door,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase...
9 May 2006 - Baby Boomer Budget. Good, to very good, but there could have been more for small business and motorists
“Treasurer Peter Costello’s generous budget contains many positives for the Australian community and business,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase said...
7 May 2006 - Who trusts the oil companies?
“The Federal Government, through its proposed Oil Code, is delivering market domination to the oil companies at the expense of the small business independent service station sector,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase...
4 May 2006 - Domination of the market a gift to oil companies under Oil Code
“The Federal Government’s proposed Oil Code will deliver the Australian market into the arms of the oil companies and the Coles/Woolworths big business duopoly,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase...
2 May 2006 - Industry fears Federal Government Oil Code will push petrol prices beyond $2.00 per litre
The repeal of the Petroleum Retail Sites Marketing Act 1980 and also the Petroleum Retail Marketing Franchise Act 1980, and their replacement with a new flawed Oil Code, as proposed by Minister MacFarlane and the Federal Government...
April 2006
18 April 2006 - Save 70 cents per litre with LPG
“Motorists do not need to squeeze themselves into smaller cars to halve their fuel bills, they simply need to convert to LPG,” VACC Executive Director...
7 April 2006 - Easter Driving... how safe is your car?
The combination of Easter roads filled with families in a hurry to get to holiday destinations – on unfamiliar roads and often driving late into the night – and poor preparation and planning, can be a deadly combination with tragic consequences...
7 April 2006 - How to conserve fuel this Easter
By adopting just a few simple fuel conservation practices, families travelling this Easter can use less fuel – as much as 20% less. That means for every four kilometres travelled, the next kilometre is free (and thus saving up to one fill in five)...
6 April 2006 - Record Petrol Prices - Bring back the Prices Surveillance Authority
“If we still had a Prices Surveillance Authority, scrapped by the Treasurer in 1999, we would most likely not be experiencing the pain at the pump we are experiencing now,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase said...
March 2006
20 March 2006 - 'Two wheels to the future' Communique
It is the opinion of the Motorcycle Industry Forum – Two Wheels To the Future – held on Saturday 18th March, for the purpose of examining issues related to motorcycle licensing, legislation, polices and practices...
16 March 2006 - Motorcycle forum: Two Wheels to the Future
VACC is hosting a forum - “Two Wheels to the Future” – on Saturday 18 March, commencing 9:00 am at Leonda by the Yarra to examine issues related to motorcycle licensing, legislation, and policies and practices...
9 March 2006 - Industry push for new legislation for motorcycles
“Victoria’s flawed motorcycle licensing laws, Government policy settings and impoverished thinking on road and traffic management initiatives, increase risk to motorcyclists,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase said...
February 2006
24 February 2006 - Link Convention Centre to increase exhibition capacity of the MEC
The proposed new Melbourne Convention Centre needs to be linked to ‘Jeff’s Shed’, the MEC, and contain an exhibition facility to increase Melbourne’s capability to host large exhibitions...
14 February 2006 - Motor Show Blockbuster
VACC has reported a 13.5% increase in attendances at this year's Melbourne International Motor Show, despite the change of dates necessitated by the Commonwealth Games...
9 February 2006 - Students look to the future - VACC's Target 2020 Future Car Competition
Visitors to this year's Melbourne International Motor Show will have a chance to gaze into the future of motoring, as seen through the eyes of aspiring designers and model-makers from Victoria's secondary schools and tertiary institutions...
8 February 2006 - Victoria needs a bigger Exhibition Centre: VACC
VACC, the peak body for the retail automotive industry in Victoria, in opening its 2006 Melbourne International Motor Show, today called for an extension to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre...
3 February 2006 - VACC calls for rethink of city traffic flows
VACC, the peak body for the retail automotive industry in Victoria, supports calls for a rethink of Melbourne's traffic and congestion problems...
January 2006
23 January 2006 - VACC supports calls to abolish 'Super' tax
VACC supports calls by a senior Federal Government minister to abolish the current 15 per cent levy on superannuation contributions...