Save Australia's Car and Car Components Industry

We, citizens of Australia, knowing that
the auto and auto parts industries provides 80,000 plus vital, high-productivity jobs, and every major auto job supports another 7-8 jobs in components, supply, and consumer industries;
the auto industry is our most important manufactured export and is essential to our successful performance in international markets.

Draw to the attention of the House (Senate) our concern and anger at

the loss over the past 3 years of at least 8,000 jobs in the auto and auto parts industries,
the insecurity and uncertainty forced upon workers who lose their jobs, and
the current government plan that allows the widespread loss of jobs and productive capacity,
the risks that further government plans (like the proposed free trade agreement with China) will cause even more job losses and the erosion of our ability to continue producing in this vital industry;

such that the future development of our industry is in crisis.

Accordingly, your petitioners request that the House (Senate) enable the Federal government to:

work with employers and our unions to establish immediate assistance plans for plants threatened with downsizing or closure;
act quickly to work with employers, our unions, state and local governments to develop a comprehensive national revival plan for the auto industry;
convene a national summit of leading employers, unions and government officials to initiate and provide guidance and timelines to develop and implement the new plan.

In the meantime, we seek that the Federal government:

1. immediately freeze tariffs at 10\% - no more cuts until a new plan is in place;

2. change the Automotive Competitiveness Investment Scheme (ACIS) so that funds are provided to those firms who maintain or restore 85\% Australian made components;

3. investigate and implement alternatives to the sourcing policies of the major producers:

a. cost down demands forced on parts producers that undermine security for workers and employers in the auto components;
b. outsourcing of parts to China and other low wage countries

Finally, we support the new ALP proposal for an Australian made green car investment program of $500 m, matched by a $3 : $1 investment commitment from the major car producers