Analysis: Julian Bajkowski Cost conscious Prime Minister Tony Abbott and hundreds of his fellow parliamentarians could soon have to get to work in a more humble Toyota Camry if Holden stops manufacturing operations in Australia. At least that’s the case if previous local vehicle procurement preferences for the federal sector are maintained. As prestige European […]
10 December, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski The Australian Fleet Management Association (AFMA) has intensified its campaign against Canberra’s removal of longstanding concessions for new car buyers under the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) regime, warning the changes could undermine both fleet and road safety. The national group, which represents both fleet buyers and sellers, says surveys it conducted during […]
22 August, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski State and local governments are again under direct fire from Canberra over the levels of tax and ratepayer support for the local automotive manufacturing industry from public sector fleet buyers after the Federal Government vowed to introduce new rules to make its own car pool 100 per cent Australian made. The latest […]
6 August, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski Federal Innovation and Industry Minister Kim Carr is playing a straight bat to mounting speculation that Canberra could give struggling local carmakers a $3000 per vehicle rebate for each Australian-made car sold to federal, state and local government agencies. The proposed option is believed to be part of ongoing negotiations between the […]
1 August, 2013
By Mike Carmody* In April 2013, the South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine demanded state and federal passenger car fleets include more Australian-made vehicles. Their call came after Holden announced it is slashing its workforce. Anyone concerned about the state of Australia’s car industry will welcome the Premiers’ call to action. […]
30 July, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski and Paul Hemsley Australian public sector fleet buyers are facing fresh uncertainty over the future of General Motors Holden’s domestic manufacturing operations Australia after the carmaker reportedly demanded another $265 million from the federal government in addition to the $275 million that Canberra has already committed to keep the Aussie icon’s factories […]
12 July, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her erstwhile Industry Minister Greg Combet might want local governments to buy Australian-made vehicles to support the domestic manufacturing, but it's a very different story for the cars that closely tail the PM's official marque plated C*1. Less than a fortnight after top level pressure was […]
27 June, 2013
By Paul Hemsley and Julian Bajkowski Local governments have come under direct pressure from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to use ratepayer’s money to buy Australian vehicles for their fleets to help keep the domestic car manufacturing alive – despite billions of dollars in government subsidies failing to keep factories at Ford and Mitsubishi operating. Ms […]
18 June, 2013
By Paul Hemsley Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Greg Combet has attacked state and local governments for not buying enough Australian-made cars for their vehicle fleets, suggesting that 70 per cent of local government purchases come from foreign manufacturers. Mr Combet’s sharp criticism over the low purchasing rate of locally-made cars comes as Ford […]
11 June, 2013
By Paul Hemsley and Julian Bajkowski The South Australian and Victorian governments have gone on the offensive to embed Australian made cars into public sector procurement plans for fleet purchasing as a way to prop-up struggling local automotive manufacturers. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine have demanded that a majority of […]
22 April, 2013
Department of Finance and Deregulation agency, COMCAR has procured an electric Holden Commodore into its fleet for trial. COMCAR is the first Australian fleet to trial an Australian fully electric car with battery switch technology, according to a release from the Special Minister of State. The release said project is designed to demonstrate technical viability […]
25 June, 2012
Automotive facilities for GM Holden have received government funds to support a long term Australian presence. Supporting Holden until 2022, the government co-investment package from the Commonwealth, Victorian and South Australian Governments will total at $275 million, with an additional $1 billion from Holden for further design and manufacturing programs. The Holden investment will contribute […]
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