Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard and Baillieu governments will be providing an extra $35 million for the Automotive New Markets Initiative. Again I ask those senators opposite to take note of the partnership between the Victoria government and the federal government in this regard. The new program will help firms in the automotive supply chain move into export markets and supply their products to other industries. As a result of this program Australian automotive component manufacturers will have greater capacity to expand their operations and win new business. The initiative, with a federal contribution of $24.5 million, will run over four years and have three key elements: a $30 million merits based grants program that will provide direct financial assistance for firms to expand their customer base and product range; support services to help firms develop new business capabilities and improve productivity and existing skills; and an automotive envoy to strengthen links with the global automotive market and automotive supplier advocate. (Time expired)