Campbellfield Ford plant a focus of car review

Hume Leader - 07Apr08

THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.

THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.

The Federal Government's review will consider the future of taxpayer-funded assistance, government support for hybrid cars and a possible tariff freeze.

Tariffs are presently scheduled to fall from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010.
The review could have major ramifications for Ford's Campbellfield plant and car parts suppliers based in Hume.

Ms Vamvakinou, who chairs the House of Representative's Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation, said: "The review will be very important to us in terms of local employment.

You don't have to be Einstein to see how big a hole it would leave in Calwell if Ford wasn't here."
Ms Vamvakinou would not say if she supported a tariff freeze or more Government funding.

"I will form my views in terms of what comes out of the review," she said. Australian Manufacturers' Workers Union vehicle division national secretary Ian Jones said the nation's car industry was being pounded by a "convergence of forces".

The strong Australia dollar and a "flood" of cheap imports were the key challenges facing the industry, he told the Leader.

On scheduled tariffs reductions, he said: "Do we really need to further expose our industry when the rest of the world is going the other way?"

Ms Vamvakinou urged people in the industry to make a submission to the review.
* Public submissions close on May 14. A report will be presented to the Federal Government by July 31.