AAAA calls on Gillard Government to support trade exposed manufacturers

摘要

At present, Australian based manufacturing members of the AAAA that supply the automotive aftermarket are not eligible for any support under Federal Government programs designed to promote innovation, green initiatives and export opportunities in the automotive industry. It seems Canberra only includes the aftermarket in the automotive industry when it spruiks total employment and export figures. But the Federal Government knows the aftermarket makes a huge contribution to Australia's economy. Our 1,700 members turn over $11 billion a year, export $800 million worth of product and give 30,000 "working Australians" a job. More than 300 AAAA members manufacture automotive products in Australia. The AAAA has requested support for its manufacturing members through the Federal Government's new heavily promoted $35 million Automotive New Markets Initiative. The response was that only manufacturers selling to Australia's three vehicle producers and their direct suppliers can apply.