Government Seeks Public Input on Green Car innovation Fund

28 Jan 09

The government has invited the public to attend consultation sessions on the $1.3 billion Green Car Innovation Fund to be held around the country early next month.  

The Green Car Innovation Fund, which commences from 1 July 2009, will provide assistance over ten years to encourage the design, development and manufacture of low-emission, fuel-efficient cars and components in Australia.  

The 2½ hour consultation sessions will be held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth between Monday, 2 February and Tuesday, 10 February 2009.  

"The focus of these sessions will be on the Green Car Innovation Fund Framework Paper, which I released in December," Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr said.  

"The Framework Paper outlines how we propose to implement and operate the fund, and we are keen to hear people’s views on these proposals.  

"This fund is a critical part of the Rudd Government's $6.2 billion New Car Plan for a Greener Future, which is designed to make the automotive industry more economically and environmentally sustainable by 2020.  

"The consultations, like the car plan itself, are about working in partnership with industry to ensure we have a modern automotive sector, providing high-skill, high-wage jobs for the future.  

"Feedback from the consultation sessions, combined with feedback from the written submissions I called for in December, will inform the finalisation of the program guidelines for the fund."  

Bookings for consultations can be made by phoning the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, booking online at www.ausindustry.gov.au or emailing hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.  

Written submissions will be accepted until 12 February 2009 and can be emailed to the Manager, Green Car Innovation Fund Taskforce, GCIF@innovation.gov.au.  

GREEN CAR INNOVATION FUND – PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

BRISBANE 9:30am Monday, 2 February, The Sebel & Citigate, Cnr Ann & Roma Sts, Brisbane.

SYDNEY 9:30am Tuesday, 3 February 2009 Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney.

MELBOURNE 9:30am Wednesday, 4 February, Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston and Collins Sts, Melbourne.

MELBOURNE 2:30pm Wednesday, 4 February, Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston and Collins Sts, Melbourne.

ADELAIDE 9:30am Friday, 6 February, AusIndustry Office, Level 11, Terrace Towers, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide.

ADELAIDE 2:30pm Friday, 6 February, Technology Park, Innovation House, Mawson Lakes Boulevard.

PERTH 9.30am Tuesday 10 February, AusIndustry Office, Level 25, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth.

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