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Introducing our New Executive Director 
As many of you are already aware - MTA ACT now has a new Executive Director in Mick Gentleman.
Mick is well known to many MTA ACT members as a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly; 4 times ACT Rally Champion; his experience in the trade - working as a Service Technician at Commonwealth Motors and membership of the Brindabella Motor Sport and the Vintage, Veteran and Classic Motorcycle Clubs of Canberra.
Mick brings his passion for the industry to his new role and is keen to raise the profile of MTA ACT and its members and deliver high value service to meet the needs of MTA ACT members.
Mick was pleased when he arrived to discover the association is in a good financial position - with sufficient funds to maintain the operation and good reserves to ensure it will continue to thrive into the future. In Mick's view there is lots of scope to grow the organisation through new memberships and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with Government and other organisations that can serve our members.
Part of Mick's short term plan is to get out and see as many members as possible. The purpose of this is to find out what members think of MTA ACT's current level of service and to take advantage of your experience and expertise to generate ideas on how we can serve members better. You can also assist in this by completing the Members' Survey (see details below).
If you'd like to arrange a visit from Mick please contact the office by phone or email and we'll organise a time to suit you.
Tribute to Helen Jones
As a tribute to the recently-retired Helen Jones - we have included the articles she produced for September's newsletter as her final contribution and feature her photograph in the Newsletter for one last time.
Thankyou Helen for your faithful service to MTA ACT.
Jean McIntyre
(Interim) Office Manager
From the ED's Desk
MTA ACT members,
I'm very pleased to accept the position of Executive Director of MTA ACT and am enthusiastic about working with members to grow an exciting and influential organisation.
I come to the role well aware of MTA ACT as a strong association that has served its members well since its inauguration in 1974. This experience and history is a great resource on which to draw to create an even stronger association that serves its members well and builds the industry's profile with the Government and in the broader community and business sectors.
Recent Movements
Former Executive Director Bob Gardiner has moved on to the automotive training facility Regional Group Training. Helen Jones has now retired after 17 years of dedicated service. We are currently recruiting a new office manager for whom a key role will be developing relationships with current members and encouraging new members.
Activity So Far
It's been a steep learning curve for me and our Interim Office Manager Jean McIntyre as we learn about the operations and update some of the systems to improve efficiency.
I've been able to get out and meet a couple of members which has been great. I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming weeks.
I had an informal chat with the Deputy ACT Chief Minister and Attorney General. It is my intention to meet with Government representatives on your behalf on a regular basis. I've already foreshadowed a discussion on behalf of members on (among other things) policing of verge parking.
I have also met with Sue Scanlon (Acting Executive Director MTAA) to discuss how we can work better with the National Association. I have been appointed to the MTAA board and will represent members in that capacity.
New Digs for MTA ACT
With the re-location of RGT to Wanniassa, it is a good opportunity for MTA ACT to seek new accommodation.
We're currently looking out for possible new premises and will keep you posted on opportunities.
Don't Forget the Golf Day
We'll be sending out invitations very soon but be sure to mark your diary today for the MTA ACT Annual Golf Day to be held on Thursday 4th November at the Gold Creek Country Club.
I hope to meet you there if not before.
Mick Gentleman
Executive Director MTA ACT
MTAA SUPERANNUATION 
Steady as she goes: the MTAA Super ‘all-weather’ investment strategy
Even in challenging investment times, the MTAA Super Two Portfolio Strategy is designed to stay the course in all weathers, delivering long-term results to members.
If you have been taking notice of business news over the past several months, you will know that the sub-prime mortgage crisis and other factors have had a major impact on all investment markets. Falls have accelerated recently, and this has led to some panic in the press. The important thing to remember amidst the sensational headlines is that markets often experience significant fluctuations in returns over the short term. For this reason, you must view your super investment performance over the long term, and not just the last few weeks or months.
MTAA Super aims to maximise the long-term returns of members, while providing some protection against downturns in listed markets. As a forward-looking measure to achieve these performance goals, the Fund’s investment approach seeks an appropriate balance between investment returns and risk. And in order to strike this balance, MTAA Super holds two distinct investment portfolios: the Market Linked Portfolio and the Target Return Portfolio. Together they create the Two Portfolio Strategy.
Market Linked Portfolio
The Market Linked Portfolio invests in a wide range of sectors such as shares, fixed interest and cash within both domestic and international markets. These investments are measured against the relevant market index (benchmark) and generate returns that reflect market fluctuations through time. This portfolio seeks to modestly out-perform the key market indices with minimal risk and low management costs.
Target Return Portfolio
The Target Return Portfolio contains what are known as ‘unlisted’ asset classes, such as directly owned property, infrastructure, private equity, utilities and enhanced cash. Many of these assets deliver very stable income streams and tend to increase in value over the long term, providing this portfolio with a defensive quality.
For example, the stability in returns may be driven by long-term leasing arrangements in the case of property investments, or the monopolistic nature of many utility assets. So these unlisted assets comprise a low risk, strong return investment over the long term.
The frequency of valuations of individual assets in the Target Return Portfolio will vary. However, on average the assets in the Target Return Portfolio are valued once every three and a half months, to ensure their fair market value, which is measured against an absolute return target set by the Fund and reflecting the risks inherent to each asset. Assets within this Portfolio often help cushion members’ returns against short term fluctuations in listed markets, while providing returns that may be in line with or higher than listed equities over the long run. For further information visit www.mtaasuper.com.au/investments/investment-strategy/valuations
As you can see, the Target Return and Market Linked Portfolios work together under the Fund’s Two Portfolio Strategy to provide members with favourable returns over the long run, while aiming to help protect members’ accumulated retirement savings during listed equity market downturns.
Visit: www.mtaasuper.com.au
MTAA SUPER'S NEW CONTACT 
Ms Julie French
Industry Fund Financial Planner and Business Development contact
Telephone: 6273 4333
Mobile: 0414 340149
Email: jfrench@mail.ifs.net.au
THEFT TORQUE
Trialling First Option Salvage For Recyclers
The NMVTRC is proposing to trial a scheme which would provide first salvage sales to accredited automotive recycling businesses in an attempt to ensure the best salvage is only available to the legitimate trade, and criminals and illegal traders are effectively excluded.
The trial would operate under the supervision of the National Parts Code (NPC), which was established by the NMVTRC in 2004 to limit the opportunity for criminals to launder stolen parts via the legitimate supply chain. The trial has two main objectives:
- to provide legitimate recycling businesses with a tangible incentive to participate in the Motor Trades Association of Australia accreditation program and to comply with its requirements about the traceability of stock; and
- to provide a fairer market for legitimate traders by denying criminal and illegal traders access to the best salvage vehicles.
Under the trial certified recyclers would have first option on salvage sales through an internet based auction. Any unsold stock would then be returned to the public auction process.
The final details of the model are still being finalised in conjunction with insurers and auction houses. However the trial is expected to run for six months, with the NPC committing to a minimum of 200 certified recyclers at start-up with a target of certifying at least 300 participating businesses over the trial period.
Description
MTA Members' Survey
To help us in our endeavours to improve service to MTA ACT members we are conducting a survey.
We would appreciate your help in completing the survey which should take about 2 minutes (depending on how much you'd like to write).
Here is the link. If you have any problems please email Jean Mc and she can talk you through the survey process.
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