VACC has rebuked allegations relating to the Australian Automotive Industry following comments by the Federal Member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone.
Dr Stone told radio station 2QN & Classic Rock in Deniliquin, NSW on Thursday September 17 that the Automotive Industry was ‘inefficient and hopeless’ and was being ‘propped up’ by billions of dollars from Federal Government.
Dr Stone made the comments in relation to a call for Federal Government support, to the tune of $74 million, to assist the dairy industry.
“VACC is disappointed with Dr Stone’s comments. The Automotive Industry is not ‘inefficient and hopeless’. In fact, the opposite is true,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
“The Federal Government invested $6.2 billion into the Australian Automotive Industry for a reason. And that reason is because the automotive sector is important to the nation in terms of jobs and the economy.
“The Australian Automotive Industry employs some 205,300 employees* with the $147.6 billion** national retail sector employing approximately 153,300 employees***.
“More than a million new vehicles were sold Australia-wide in 2007 and 2008.
“The Automotive Industry is showing signs of pulling through the economic slowdown. This is largely due to its robustness and good management, as proved by GM Holden’s decision to retain its Australian interests while other international plants were closed.
“VACC has sympathy for the Australian dairy farmers and agriculture sector in general. The drought, fires and global financial slowdown have affected those in country areas, including members of our Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers Association.
“Dr Stone seems to have forgotten that many of her Murray constituents are connected with the Automotive Industry. A vast majority of VACC members reside or work, or both, in rural areas, including our President, Graeme Hill, who lives in Gunbower. They know only too well the importance of the dairy industry, after all, who maintains and services the milk tankers taking the dairy produce to the customers? The Automotive Industry, of course.
“That is why we take exception to these unwelcome comparisons and ill-advised comments from Dr Stone. VACC supports all Australian industries, especially small businesses, trying to survive these trying times. We should be pulling together and supporting each other, instead of showing petty jealousies.
“VACC certainly wishes dairy farmers success with their appeal for Federal funding, but we suggest Dr Stone spends more time seeking support from potential allies, instead of trying to sour relations,” Mr Purchase said.
* & *** ABS cat no 6291.0.55.003 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, August 2009
** ABS cat no 8155.0 Australian Industry 2007-08