Latest News & Updates
Auto Industry Strongly Opposes Hobart CBD Retail Restrictions
MEDIA RELEASE 12 December 2025 Hobart – The Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (TACC) has expressed strong opposition to a proposal before Hobart City Council that would ban broad-acre automotive retail in the Hobart CBD, warning the move would inflict serious economic damage on an industry supporting hundreds of jobs in the greater Hobart area. A motion scheduled for debate at Council’s December meeting seeks to amend the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme to prospectively prohibit automotive retail operations and coordinate their removal from the city centre. TACC Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones said the proposal represented a fundamental misunderstanding [...]
Incentive Changes Risk Deepening Auto Skills Crisis
Federal Apprenticeship Incentive Changes Risk Deepening Automotive Skills Crisis 1 December 2025 Melbourne – The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has expressed serious concern over the Federal Government’s decision to halve employer incentives for priority apprenticeships, warning the changes could exacerbate the automotive industry’s critical skills shortage. From 1 January 2026, the Priority Hiring Incentive will decrease from $5,000 to $2,500, whilst the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment will similarly be reduced from $5,000 to $2,500. VACC Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones said the timing of the cuts was particularly troubling given the automotive industry’s competing with other industries in similar skill shortages. “At a time when our industry [...]
