Higher Collective Bargaining Notification Thresholds

The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) believes that a strong and viable small business sector is an essential element of a competitive market and thus welcomes the Government’s announcement of higher collective bargaining notification thresholds for petroleum, motor vehicle and farm machinery retailers. Today’s announcement should allow a greater number of small businesses in this sector to access the new collective bargaining notification arrangements introduced by the Government.

As a result of the Government’s announcement, those higher collective bargaining thresholds now stand at:

• $10 million for farm machinery retailing;

• $15 million for petroleum retailing; and

• $20 million for motor vehicle retailing.

MTAA, which has long supported the introduction of collective bargaining notification arrangements, congratulates the Government on its efforts to address small business concerns about their lack of negotiation power relative to their larger suppliers/acquirers. It does so in particular for the support given and work undertaken by the Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Fran Bailey MP, in securing the higher thresholds for these retail motor trade sectors which is appreciated.

However, MTAA notes though that it will need to monitor the extent to which these new thresholds allow retail motor traders access to the notification arrangements to the extent the Government has proposed they should.

MTAA continues to consult with the Government on matters relating to the proposed further amendments to the Trade Practices Act.

For further information please contact Michael Delaney, Executive Director of MTAA on
(02) 6273 4333.