Victoria’s peak automotive industry body has called Tuesday’s budget a missed opportunity to meet a critical time for the industry’s transition.
The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has highlighted the significant State Budget’s failure to deliver essential electric vehicle infrastructure and small business support
VACC CEO, Peter Jones says despite the Government’s own ambitious targets for EV adoption by 2030, they have failed to back it up with any any meaningful policy or infrastructure investment
“While we welcome the absence of new taxes on the automotive sector, this won’t drive the industry forward at a time when transformative support is desperately needed,” Jones says.
“The Victorian Government has set bold targets for electric vehicle uptake, yet this Budget provides no roadmap for how we’ll get there. Without significant investment in charging infrastructure and consumer incentives, these targets remain nothing more than aspirational figures on paper.”
He says they are concerned about the lack of targeted support for small automotive businesses when they are facing unprecedented technological disruption.
“Small automotive businesses across Victoria are navigating the most significant technological transition in the industry’s history. Many will not survive without dedicated government support to upskill workers and adapt their operations for an electric future,” said Mr Jones.
The VACC’s wanted enhanced apprenticeship support, an automotive business transition fund, and investment in regional charging infrastructure.
“We presented the Government with a clear plan to support the automotive industry through this critical transition period. Unfortunately, our recommendations have been largely ignored, placing both the industry and the Government’s own EV ambitions at risk.”
The VACC calls on the Victorian Government to urgently reconsider its approach to supporting the automotive industry and to engage in meaningful consultation with industry representatives to develop a comprehensive transition strategy.
“Without immediate and significant action, Victoria risks falling behind other states in the race to modernise our transport system. We urgently need a comprehensive strategy that aligns government policy with industry capabilities to deliver real outcomes.”