Federal Budget Stimulus sought by Caravan Industry Association of Australia

This year it has been more important than ever to bring the Caravan and Camping sectors front of mind with politicians, and with the Federal Budget being delayed due to Coronavirus, business operators are eagerly awaiting October to see what the 2020-2021 Federal Budget will bring.

Caravan and camping is such an important park of the revival of jobs, regional communities and stretches across tourism, retail and manufacturing sectors. An industry which contributes $23billion to the Australian economy.

That is why we have been on the front foot advocating for our industry and seek stimulus that will support its recovery.

This week, the government relations team at Caravan Industry Association of Australia submitted their pre-submission for the October federal budget. This submission was framed around two key pillars: Supporting Australian jobs and Supporting a Regional Recovery.  

Caravan and Holiday Parks 

It was highlighted to government that the caravan park sector has an immense opportunity to lead the recovery of regional tourism; however investment is required as the normal investment that caravan parks put int product development and capital expenditure projects has been diminished in 2020. Hence the proposal put forward was for matched funding opportunities (1:1) for caravan parks to invest in refurbishments or upgrades.  

As well as the submission, this and other priorities have been advocated for to Treasury, Austrade, Department of Infrastructure and several ministers and their offices including Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham and Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Jonathan Duniam.  

Caravan Industry Association of Australia continues to enjoy positive relationships across the government spectrum and has recently presented at the National Tourism Incident Communication Plan fortnightly meetings which involves the top tourism bureaucrats, industry associations, STOs and national organisations such as Tourism Australia. This work will be invaluable moving forward to achieve positive results for the sector, at a time when the nations tourism sector remains in crisis mode.  

Manufacturing and Trade 

It was highlighted to government that the RV manufacturing sector has an immense opportunity to drive Australian job creation and stimulate regional tourism in a way that other sectors cannot do. It was also highlighted that many manufacturers remain under threat with the rise of potentially unsafe product making its way onto Australian roads, when many local manufacturers have been forced to closed under Stage 4 restrictions in Victoria. 

Caravan Industry Association of Australia is advocating for a rebate for a consumer who purchases a new RV that meets the eligibility requirements. Caravan Industry Association of Australia estimates that every Australian-made RV that makes its way onto Australian roads creates $335,000 in additional spending, with a large amount of this going to regional and rural Australian businesses.

We are continuing to work with various departments on the issues surrounding this and will continue to push strongly for this to be adopted in coming budgets.  

For more information contact Hugh Fitzpatrick hughf@caravanindustry.com.au