The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has been meeting with different members of the government and key industry players since August and early September. They tackled topics that would address the opportunities and challenges in the sector.
In the last few weeks, CIAA took part in job summits, fuel efficiency forums, departmental briefings, business forums with opposition ministers, and briefed government ministers on their industry policy pillars, according to a report by the association.
The topics that the CIAA addressed were the Road Vehicle Safety Act Implementation, Residential Land Lease Communities funding, insurance for the industry and shortfalls in coverage, and manufacturing modernization funding.
The association was also finding ways to supercharge its domestic tourism campaign for caravanning holidays.
Shortages In The Workforce
In August, jobs and skills, as well as future fuels, became the two prominent discussion topics. CIAA actively contributed to the conversation by joining the Tourism Workforce Roundtable and the Tourism Jobs Summit, also addressing the workforce shortages in the industry.
The roundtable and the summit acted as mechanisms to inform the broader Jobs and Skills Summit held in early September.
The association strongly advocated for working holiday maker visas to be increased along with greater incentives to remove barriers to travel, for pensioners to have the ability to work increased hours without affecting their pension, and the need to supercharge a domestic tourism campaign focused on regional and rural areas or drive holidays.
Issues In Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency standards and the shift to electric vehicles (EV) were two more significant matters tackled in the last few weeks. With Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen passing the Climate Change Bill last September 8, it signaled the government’s future direction to a low carbon emission environment.
In a news release by the association, it is still waiting for the consultation paper on Fuel Efficiency Standards to be released, which will provide an outlook for the low-carbon environment and key requirements to make it happen.
The association understands the potential for the opportunity of moving to a low-emissions environment. However, according to the news release, over the transition period, between 2030 – 2040, they want to ensure transitions are made with minimal impact on the industry in both tourism and manufacturing.
Lastly, October will see an interim budget released. Based on the government’s pre-election commitments, the association is hopeful that there will be a AU$10 million fund for the caravan industry, as per the news release.
Although not yet confirmed, following previous similar funding commitments grants, it may be based on shovel-ready projects with an anticipated spend greater than AU$25,000.
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