|
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT 
MTA congratulates Mr. Stanhope and the Labor Party on being able to successfully negotiate with the Greens in order to form government following the recent election. MTA looks forward to continuing to work with the government for the good of the Canberra automotive industry and the Canberra community.
With the ACT election now well behind us, attention turns to the challenges facing all business and governments across the world during the current global economic climate. Canberra, despite what some might say is not insulated from the impacts of that global economic climate, business are facing a decrease in consumer confidence which has effected their willingness to spend and a tightening of credit facilities by banks and other providers.
The announcement recently by both GE Money and GMAC that they are withdrawing wholesale bailment facilities offered to car dealers as at 31st December 2008, has lead to an estimated 200 – 300 dealers across Australia facing the prospect of closing the doors not because of any poor business practices, but because of factors outside their control. Dealer’s ability to secure financing from another provider is being severely hampered by the low number of other wholesale bailment providers within the automotive industry, reduced sales volume, and their ability to source the additional financial requirements due to their own funding restraints.
MTAA on behalf of all dealers is in high level talks with the federal government, as the ramifications for the whole automotive industry including vehicle manufacturers, dealers and associated suppliers across Australia if a resolution is not found would be hard to comprehend. In reality a solution must be found, however as the time clock keeps ticking towards the 31st December 2008, dealers require an indication of the government’s response now rather than postponing any announcement until December some time.
But with every negative comes a positive, business not reliant on credit as part of their working capital, will be in a prime position to take advantages of opportunities that will inevitably present themselves over the coming months. Now is the time to review your current business practices to ensure that you can endure the current market, along with reviewing your long term business strategy and structure to maximize any opportunities that come your way.
Remember, everyone at MTA is here to assist you.
RGT Board Members
I’m pleased to advise that RGT conducted their Annual General Meeting last Wednesday, at which time Mr Tony Howard was elected Chairman with Mr Anders Mykkeltvedt elected Vice Chairman for the 2008-09 year.
Other directors are: Mr Peter Taylor – MTA-ACT President, Mr. Bob Waldron, Mrs Christine Macauley.
MTA GOLF DAY 
Winners are Grinners! Just ask Mike Houston and his team from Canberra Motorcycle Centre and the Commonwealth Bank and CGU Motor Trades team!
The 20th annual MTA Golf Day was held on Thursday 13 November 2008 at the Gold Creek Country Club and what a huge success it was! All players enjoyed their golf game, buffet dinner and presentation at the conclusion of the day. Congratulations to all prize winners.
MTA wish to sincerely thank our sponsors - Auswild & Co; Automotive Training Board; Canberra Toyota; Capricorn Society; CGU Motor Trades; Commonwealth Bank; Goodyear Autocare; Lennock Motors; OzSafe; PPG Industries; Regional Group Training; Rolfe Motor Group; Swann Insurance; TransAct.
MTA OFFICE CHRISTMAS CLOSURE 
The MTA office will be closed for the Christmas/New Year period from 12 noon Wednesday 24 December 2008 and reopening Monday 5 January 2009.
MTA President Peter Taylor, Board of Directors and MTA staff wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS UPDATE
Overtime and Ordinary Time Earnings
From the 1st July 2008 all employers are obliged to use the definition of ordinary time earnings found within the superannuation legislation. The ATO has determined in its' guideline ruling that any guaranteed overtime in an employee's contract of employment is counted as Ordinary Time Earnings under Superannuation Guarantee Ruling (SGR) 94/4 and thus would attract 9% superannuation on the payment.
Example 1
Your contract sets out the terms and conditions of an employees' employment. It stipulates ordinary hours as an average of 38 hours a week. It includes a standard "Requirement to Work Reasonable Overtime" clause, but does not state a specific number of required hours.
For superannuation purposes, your required superannuation guarantee contribution should be calculated on the employee's earnings based on 38 hours per week.
Example 2
Your contract of employment requires that employees work a roster of an average of 43 hours per week.
As the contract of employment requires your employees to work an average of 43 hours per week, and those were the hours they actually worked on a regular basis, those hours are considered the 'ordinary hours of work' for superannuation guarantee. The contract describes some of these ordinary hours as overtime hours but this does not override the fact that your employees are required to work these hours on a regular basis.
For superannuation purposes, your superannuation guarantee contribution should be calculated on earnings based on 43 hours per week.
FREE WORKPLACE RELATIONS INDUSTRY BRIEFING
MTA will be conducting a free of charge seminar advising members of the 2009 Industrial Relations changes in particular, the upcoming unfair dismissal laws and how they will affect your business. Additionally the MTA will provide attendees with updates and an overview on OH&S legislative requirements and how these can be managed using MTA's AutoSafe Occupational Health and Management Safety System. This seminar is scheduled for Wednesday 13th May 2009.
Reminders and registration form for this seminar will be sent to MTA members closer to the date.
NEW PROGRAM TO MOTIVATE AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICES 
RGT successfully delivered their pilot Certificate 1 Automotive Technology (light Vehicle) on Friday 21st November 2008 when 12 Students from Melba Copland High graduated from the program. The pilot program was developed in partnership with Melba Copeland College with additional support from one of Canberra’s leading dealerships Canberra Toyota, SIPS – Student to Industry Programs with financial assistance being supplied by the ACT Department of Education & Training.
The program was conducted over 15 weeks, targeting both male and female students in Year 9 & 10, who are considering commencing an Australian School Based Apprenticeship career within the automotive industry. For one day a week the students experienced the different facets of the Automotive Industry including hands on workshop activities, automotive theory, and field trips to each of Canberra Toyota’s sites and to Toyota Australia Training facility in Sydney. The underpinning knowledge obtained by the 12 graduating students throughout the program will assist in developing their career paths.
Local hero Neal Bates attended the graduation ceremony and spoke to the students about his career. Neal began his career as an apprentice over 20 years ago and now heads a multi-million dollar motorsports operation here in Canberra. Neal is a true example of how an Australian Apprenticeship pathway can open many opportunities to an individual.
RGT reaffirmed it’s commitment to the program for 2009, by announcing that they will not only be continuing with the current program with Melba Copland College, but will introduce an additional Certificate 1 program by offering the same opportunities afforded to these students, to other ACT schools. The program will continue to receive support from Canberra Toyota, SIPS. MTA-ACT through a sponsorship arrangement with MTAA Superannuation will also provide some funding assistance.
MTAA SUPERANNUATION CONTACT 
Ms Julie French
Industry Fund Financial Planner and Business Development contact
Telephone: 6273 4333
Mobile: 0414 340 149
Email: jfrench@mail.ifs.net.au
MTAA SUPERANNUATION 
MTAA Super wins prestigious Selecting Super’s Superannuation Fund of the Year Award
MTAA Super has been awarded the prestigious Superannuation Fund of the Year Award by leading independent industry researcher, SelectingSuper.
Leeanne Turner, MTAA Super’s Deputy Executive Director, accepted the award in recognition of the Fund’s exceptional achievements at SelectingSuper’s award’s ceremony held Friday at the MCG in Melbourne.
MTAA Super was also awarded the Workplace Fund of the Year award, from a field of short-listed finalists including a number of Australia’s best performed superannuation funds.
“MTAA Super is proud to be awarded SelectingSuper’s Superannuation Fund of the Year and Workplace Fund of the Year for 2008” said Michael Delaney, MTAA Super’s Principal Executive Officer.
“At the same time, we are conscious that current events on world financial markets mean many of our members are concerned about the impact on their retirement savings.”
“I can assure them that our focus continues to be on building value for them over their working lifetime and these awards in large part, recognise the long term performance of MTAA Super’s ‘two portfolio’ investment strategy.”
“Our approach is always to generate favourable returns in the long term, while aiming to help protect members’ accumulated retirement savings during downturns on listed equity markets” he stated.
“Our Trustees’ preparedness to be early adopters of investments in infrastructure, direct property and direct equity assets has set MTAA Super apart and made us different. That difference has helped us achieve and continues to contribute to our leading long term investment performance.”
MTAA Super is one of Australia’s largest industry super funds with more than 285,000 members, 33,000 employers and over $6.0 billion funds under management. MTAA Super is the industry superannuation fund for the motoring industry but all Australians can join.
For more information contact MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visit the www.mtaasuper.com.au website
|
