The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries welcomes Minister Macfarlane’s announcement of the Australian Government’s commitment to maintain the Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS) in its original form as legislated.
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said this commitment provides Australia’s automotive manufacturing companies with the certainty they need to help transition their operations.
“This is particularly important for the small and medium sized business in the supply chain, who have already factored ATS funding into their long-term business and investment decision-making processes,” he says.
“It also recognises the 45,000 workers directly employed, and the more than 100,000 workers indirectly employed in the automotive manufacturing sector, around Australia. This is good news for the Victorian and South Australian economies.”
Mr Weber said it was important the Government and all Australians recognised that Australia will continue to play a key role in the global automotive industry after 2017 with Holden and Ford committed to continuing their significant automotive research and product development operations in Australia.
The FCAI also welcomes the news regarding the twelve automotive suppliers that are recipients under the first round of the Automotive Diversification Program.