Senator Kim Carr, today announced three key steps which are being undertaken to implement the New Car Plan for a Greener Future.
- A framework paper outlining the proposed operation of the Government's Green Car Innovation Fund is available on the Green Car Innovation Fund webpage and the government is inviting feedback on the Fund's structure and implementation. This is an opportunity for interested and affected parties to have some input into the elements of the plan. The Fund will provide assistance over ten years to design, develop and manufacture low-emission, fuel-efficient cars and components in Australia. Public consultations at key centers around Australia will take place in early February 2009 and details of these will be available shortly.
- Ministerial guidelines for the Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program (AISAP) can be obtained at www.innovation.gov.au/AISAP and application forms will be available at the same site shortly. The program will support automotive supply chain companies that want to consolidate through mergers and acquisitions and companies will be able to apply for assistance with eligible merger and acquisition costs from 1 January 2009. The aim of the program is to facilitate consolidation so as to make companies in the automotive supply chain more financially viable and competitive.
- The Automotive Industry Innovation Council, will be chaired by Dr David Charles, a former Secretary of the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce and a number of other members have been appointed which include the MD of GM Holden, the CEO's of Toyota Australia and Ford Australia a number of senior unions officials, other research, development and industry representatives, the CEO of the CSIRO and State and Commonwealth government representatives.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.