Chair's Report

MTA CHAIR, FRANK AGOSTINO

The past two years have been turbulent in a way that the automotive industry has never experienced before, and so it is welcome to see most restrictions placed upon businesses wound back and the emergency declaration revoked after 793 days. However, the challenges before industry are ongoing whether it’s skill shortages and evolving technology, or disruptions to supply chains and a rising cost of doing business.

At a macro level, global forces of interest rates, inflation and international conflict are influencing market expectations. Despite this volatility, it pays to keep updated on major industry trends and so our continued sharing of information with members remains a primary focus.

While many businesses ponder what the ‘new normal’ looks like, you can rest assured that the MTA will keep you supported, informed and represented.

Anthony Albanese has been elected as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister, meaning that industrial relations, emissions targets and skills policy will be front and centre for the MTA to engage with.

Here in South Australia, Peter Malinauskas has been elected as Premier. It will be important that the new Labor government continue to engage with our industry as well as honour their election commitment for no new taxes.

Pleasingly, the new Premier has started off on the right foot by listening to the MTA’s calls to allow asymptomatic close contacts to safely return to work and it is my hope that their consultative approach will continue over the next four years.

We will certainly continue to grow our relationships with the new ministers at a State and Federal level as they settle into office. This means ensuring that the automotive industry is recognised for the more than $2 billion we contribute to the South Australian economy through 5,000 businesses who employ 27,000 people.

I would like to thank Richard Dudley, CEO of the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) for his presentation at last month’s Industry Advisory Council (IAC) meeting to update members on the substantial initiatives and policies delivered at a national level, such as the right to repair scheme, franchising reform and funding for an end of life vehicle scheme.

It will be important that the new Labour government continue to engage with our industry as well as honour their election commitment...

Finally, I wish to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s graduating apprentices.

To this year’s award winners I say – your hard work and outstanding dedication has paid off. You have a bright future in a thriving industry ahead of you.

Looking around the room on the night, I saw the excited and passionate faces of our industry’s future, giving me assurance that tomorrow’s automotive space is in safe hands.

So while borders have reopened to skilled migration, which is important, the single biggest thing that we can do as an industry to fight skill shortages in the long term is to continue to take on apprentices and grow the pipeline of skilled technicians available.