Energy Safe Victoria makes U-turn on imported car buy AWU state secretary Cesar Melhem says he is pleased with the change of mind on the car imports. Picture: Aaron Francis Source: News Limited CAR workers have had a victory after the State Government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over a plan to buy imported cars. Energy Safe Victoria had placed an order for 40 Japanese-made Toyota RAV4s for its inspectors, who travel around the state. But Energy Safe, a watchdog that monitors the state's electricity and gas supply, cancelled the order after the Herald Sun revealed the plan this week. "I can confirm that following discussions with Government last night, ESV has cancelled the order for the RAV4s," the email said. I agreed to cancel the order and will now only order vehicles made in Australia (Hilux excluded). The Australian Workers Union had slammed the planned purchase, saying it was a slap in the face to car industry workers after jobs were slashed at Toyota, Ford and Holden last year. AWU state secretary Cesar Melhem said he was pleased with the change of mind. I congratulate the Government on reversing the decision -- keep it up. State Government spokesman Paul Price said: "The Government will confirm with all state government statutory authorities that Australian-made vehicles must be purchased unless it can be demonstrated that imported vehicles are required for specialist use." Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers spokesman Llewellyn Rees accused Mr Fearon of making a "veiled threat" to car workers in an email backdown.