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.

"The Melbourne International Motor Show, Australia's premier Motor Show and arguably the premier show of the Australasian region, is fast outgrowing the capacity of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre," VACC Executive Director David Purchase said today.

"Ours is the largest motor show in the largest exhibition space in the country, and brings over $15.8million into the State of Victoria. Every year, the Melbourne International Motor Show gets bigger, better and more exciting.

"And with each year, the challenges in fitting into the MEC and in fulfilling the expectations of exhibitors grow more and more problematic for VACC and its Motor Show Committee.

"There is a strong business case for an extension in premium exhibition space at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, not only to satisfy the needs of the Melbourne International Motor Show, but also if Melbourne is to grow in commercial importance in the Asian and Asia-Pacific region.

"VACC calls on the Victorian Government to allocate funds from the next budget for an extension in premium exhibition space at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

"Melbourne should be striving to maintain its advantage as a commercial centre. We need a commitment from the Victorian Government to ensure that our world-class Exhibition Centre maintains its advantage over competing centres in competing cities, and continues to grow as Melbourne grows in population and in importance to the region," VACC Executive Director David Purchase said.