Three major Retail Automotive Industry Motor Trades bodies, representing at least half the Industry, have established a permanent presence in Canberra.
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), MotorTrades Association – Queensland (MTAQ) and the Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (TACC) have set up an office in the national capital.
“It is important for us to have an office which will allow us to facilitate the direct lobbying of Federal politicians and Canberra-based regulators,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
“Many of the activities and issues we are involved with have a national flavour and the office will enable us to be on the door-step of the national decision makers.
“We felt the need to establish a presence in Canberra, as we are no longer members of the Motor Trades Association Australia (MTAA), which previously represented all retail motor trades associations.
The MTAQ Acting CEO, Mr. Ian Field, said his organisation also welcomed a presence in the national capital, which would make it easier to pursue MTAQ’s interests on national issues.
“Like VACC, MTAQ resigned from MTAA because of dissatisfaction with the way the organisation had represented the industry,” said Mr Field.
"We do not think the MTAA can act as aneffective employer lobby organisation whilst at the same time acting as manager of the motor industry superfund. The interests of fund members, for the most part employees, must take precedence over the interests of employers," added Mr Field.
“Clearly Tasmanian Automotive businesses will benefit from direct lobbying and from having feet on the ground in the national capital. It can be a challenge to gain access to leaders in Canberra from a distance and so to have our own office will improve this,” TACC General Manager, Malcolm Little, said.
“Despite all advances in the telecommunication industry, nothing beats face-to-face discussions with politicians and decision makers,” Mr. Little said.
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For more information contact:
David Purchase, VACC Executive Director, on 03 9829 1105
Richard Payne, MTAQ Principal Policy Director, on 0438 137 111
Malcolm Little, TACC General Manager, on 0408 398 670
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