By John Van Klaveren
Industry groups have called on Federal Government to release the details of its delayed $100 million assistance package for displaced car manufacturing workers.
The Independent reported this week the fund faced delays despite promises announcement would be made last month.
Gas Energy Australia CEO Mike Carmody and VACC Executive Director David Purchase urged the Government to update the industry on the status of the assistance package, and where the money is going to be spent.
“Come 2017, traditional car manufacturing in Australia will be dead and buried, and the Victorian and South Australian industries need to know what assistance they can depend on,” Mr Carmody said.
“Gas Energy Australia and VACC are keen to find out too. If the money isn’t there, or it isn’t being allocated to the right priorities, the Australian Government needs to look at other ways to support the industry.”
The organisations said they had developed a plan to create three state of the art facilities in Victoria and South Australia where brand new cars would be converted to LPG, initially employing around 500 people.
An LPG Centre of Excellence would also be created as part of the proposal, allowing Australia to keep high en technology and workers on its shores when Holden, Ford and Toyota cease production.
Mr Purchase said the plan presented an immediate opportunity for the Federal Government to invest in a niche industry that will be driven by innovation and create new manufacturing jobs.
“Australia has an abundant supply of LPG, national infrastructure, leading edge technology and skilled labour, and now is the time to use that advantage to create long term sustainable jobs,” he said.
“Given the reported state of the assistance package, it’s now more important than ever that the Federal Government looks at supporting plans like this to give the industry a hand up, not a hand out.”
