Keep Australia Moving: 2019 Policy Priorities from the Automotive Industry to the next Australian Government - VACC
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Keep Australia Moving 1
Keep
Australia
Moving:
Policy Priorities from the
Automotive Industry to the
next Australian Government.
2019Keep Australia Moving
About VACC
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is Victoria’s
peak automotive industry association, representing the interests of
more than 5,000 members in more than 20 retail automotive sectors
that employ 50,000+ Victorians.
VACC members range from new and used vehicle dealers (passenger,
truck, commercial, motorcycles, recreational and farm machinery),
repairers (mechanical, electrical, body and repair specialists, i.e.
radiators and engines), vehicle servicing (service stations, vehicle
washing, rental, windscreens), parts and component wholesale/
retail and distribution and aftermarket manufacture (E.g. specialist
vehicles, parts or component modification and/or manufacture),
and automotive dismantlers and recyclers.
VACC is also an active member of the Motor Trades Association
of Australia (MTAA), Australia’s peak national automotive
association, and is a founding member of the Australian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest
and most representative business organisation.
vacc.com.auKeep Australia Moving 01
Table of Contents
Introduction 02
List of Recommendations 03
01. Automotive Futures 04
02. Access to Service and Repair Information 04
03. Mandated Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct 05
04. Automotive-Specific Franchise Code of Conduct 06
05. Skills & Training 06
06. Industrial Relations 08
07. End-of-Life Vehicle Program 10
08. Improved Digital Connectivity in Regional Areas of Australia 11
09. Abolition of the Luxury Car Tax 12
10. Red-Tape Reduction and Australian Consumer Law 13Keep Australia Moving 02
Introduction
The automotive industry embodies a The following document outlines the Victorian
Automobile Chamber of Commerce’s (VACC)
range of sectors including: repair and
industry policy priorities for the next Australian
maintenance; car rental and hiring; Government. These include:
commercial vehicles (light and heavy
++ planning for Australia’s automotive future
trucks and trailers); auto recyclers;
towing services; fuel retailing; parts and ++ providing access to service and repair
information for independent repairers
tyre retailing; motor vehicle and motor
vehicle parts manufacturing; exporting ++ a mandated Motor Vehicle Insurance
and Repair Industry Code of Conduct
and wholesaling; motor vehicle retailing;
marine; bicycle retailing; agricultural ++ an automotive-specific Franchise Code
of Conduct
and mining machinery; and outdoor
power equipment. ++ action on automotive skills shortages
++ industrial relations reform designed to
The automotive industry accounts for 2.2 per promote increased employment by small
cent of Australia’s GDP ($37.1 billion) and employs business and promote more vibrant and
379,365 people nationally, making it one of the safer local communities
most substantial and important industries to
++ implementing a self-regulated end-of-vehicle-
the Australian economy. Simply put, without
life program and improving automotive
an automotive industry, Australia stops.
recyclers’ access to business insurance
The majority of automotive businesses are small ++ improved digital connectivity across
and family owned enterprises that require sound regional areas
policies and meaningful reform to allow them to
grow and employ more people. Rising energy costs, ++ abolition of the luxury car tax
skills shortages, onerous red-tape, over-taxation ++ the reduction of red-tape and more consistent
and outdated workplace regulations are just state-based interpretations of the Australian
some examples of issues working against Consumer Law for the retailing and repair
the competitiveness and productivity of of motor vehicles.
automotive businesses.
The automotive industry is calling on the Federal
Government to commit to serious policy reform
across a range of areas to ensure that it is able
to maintain the national vehicle fleet well into the
future. Support to maintain the national fleet will
strengthen consumer confidence, mobility and
national productivity.Keep Australia Moving 03
List of Recommendations
The VACC on behalf of the automotive industry 11. Ensure payment for domestic violence leave
recommends that the next Australian does not become the responsibility
Government should: of employers.
01. Develop an automotive industry blueprint, 12. Commit to a review of the Small Business
in consultation with industry, which would Fair Dismissal Code and the procedural
provide guidance and a policy framework fairness process.
for the automotive industry as it transitions
into new technologies. 13. Oppose the introduction of industrial
manslaughter laws across Australian states
02. Support and implement the ACCC’s and territories.
recommendation for a mandated scheme
for car manufacturers to share technical 14. Exclude group training organisations from
information with independent repairers on any National Labour Hire Licensing Scheme.
commercially fair and reasonable terms. 15. Develop a national program aimed at the
03. Empower the Australian Securities proper disposal of end-of-life vehicles.
and Investments Commission (ASIC) to approve 16. Conduct a review into the structural issues
a nationally mandated Motor Vehicle Insurance that are preventing automotive recyclers
and Repair Industry Code of Conduct, with and other industry sectors from accessing
enforceable provisions administered by ASIC. business insurance.
04. Review the effects of vertical and horizontal 17. Commit to supporting and facilitating public
integration in the motor vehicle insurance and private investment that will improve digital
and smash repair industries. connectivity across regional and remote areas
05. Introduce an automotive-specific Franchise of Australia.
Code of Conduct 18. Abolish the luxury car tax or at the very least
06. Promote the value of automotive raise the vehicle cost threshold to a minimum
apprenticeships to employers, job seekers, of $125,000.
parents and students. 19. Use the Council of Australian Governments
07. Introduce improved support measures and (COAG) to reduce red-tape and better align
incentives for employers to hire and retain state-based legislation and regulation to
automotive apprentices, including those from improve business competitiveness and
diverse and non-traditional backgrounds. consumer certainty regarding the registration,
repair and retailing of motor vehicles
08. Introduce meaningful industry-led VET across Australia.
advisory councils and KPIs to TAFE institutes
to engage with industry. 20. Develop technical notes that would assist
state-based adjudicators to make more
09. Introduce tighter enforcement consistent decisions when applying the
of VET regulation. Australian Consumer Law to motor vehicle
faults and warranty issues.
10. Make changes to Australia’s migration
program that improve its accessibility and
responsiveness to better meet skill and labour
needs in the automotive industry.Keep Australia Moving 04
01. 02.
AUTOMOTIVE FUTURES ACCESS TO SERVICE
AND REPAIR INFORMATION
Recommendation: Recommendation:
++ The next Australian Government should develop ++ The next Australian Government should support
an automotive industry blueprint, in consultation and implement the ACCC’s recommendation for a
with industry, which would provide guidance and mandated scheme for car manufacturers to share
a policy framework for the automotive industry technical information with independent repairers
as it transitions into new technologies. on commercially fair and reasonable terms.
Despite its economic significance, the automotive Automotive service and repair professionals require
industry continues to struggle for appropriate access to up-to-date manufacturers’ service and
recognition from government. The large-scale repair information and software programming
contribution of the industry to the Australian downloads. This ensures vehicles are repaired
economy and the lives of every Australian demands safely and in accordance with the manufacturers’
that the industry be taken seriously by policymakers. prescribed procedures.
This is particularly important as the industry
makes the transition to new technologies over The automotive industry strongly supports the
the coming years. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s
(ACCC) 2017 recommendation for a scheme that
The wider uptake of electric, connected and mandates access to repair information. This would
autonomous vehicles is expected to significantly require car manufacturers to share technical
disrupt the automotive industry’s structure information with independent repairers on
and business models. This disruption will have commercially fair and reasonable terms.
implications for urban infrastructure, skill
requirements and government revenue streams – all The scheme must provide the same technical
of which require forward planning and policy debate. information made available by manufacturers
to their authorised dealers and preferred repairer
As the automotive industry moves through this networks. This should include environmental,
period of transition, it is critical that government safety and security-related information, ensuring
details its policy intentions for the industry. The consumers have access to competitive, convenient,
development of an automotive blueprint, as safety-focused service and repair information
recommended by a Senate Economics Reference for the life of their motor vehicle.
Committee report – The Future of Australia’s
Automotive Industry, 1 December 2015 – would assist
automotive businesses with their planning and
development, as well as provide certainty
and improved business confidence.
VACC is well placed to be an active participant
in the formulation of future automotive policy,
leveraging the expertise from across our diverse
membership and linkages to national and state-
based automotive association networks.Keep Australia Moving 05
03.
MANDATED MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
AND REPAIR INDUSTRY CODE OF CONDUCT
Recommendation: In accordance with the findings of the Royal
Commission into Misconduct in the Banking,
++ In accordance with recommendations 1.15 and 4.9 Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the (Royal Commission), VACC calls for ASIC
Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services to be empowered to approve and enforce
Industry, the next Australian Government should a nationally mandated Code that is binding
empower ASIC to approve a nationally mandated on all car insurers and smash repairers.
Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry
Code of Conduct, with enforceable provisions This would improve its efficacy, reduce the threat
administered by ASIC. of disputes, and stabilise a fragile smash repair
industry. Consumers would also benefit, by
++ In accordance with measures proposed by the
including their right to receive transparent,
Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking,
fair and reasonable repair estimates, insurance
Superannuation and Financial Services Industry,
assessment calculations and cash settlements.
the next Australian Government should review
the effects of vertical and horizontal integration In recent years, the smash repair industry has
in the motor vehicle insurance and smash suffered considerable dislocation and financial
repair industries. loss from insurance companies incorporating
vehicle smash repair activities within their business
There is confusion among car insurers and smash operations. This has substantially reduced
repairers as to the rights, responsibilities and competition within the smash repair market.
obligations of parties under the Motor Vehicle
Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct In line with measures proposed by the Royal
(the Code). This is causing serious, systemic Commission, and Productivity Commission,
conflict at a national level. VACC calls for a detailed market study be
undertaken into the effect of vertical and
New South Wales (NSW) is the only state to have horizontal integration by insurers of smash
made the Code law (in May 2017). All car insurers and repair business, including its impact
smash repairers in NSW are bound by the Code and on competition.
its subsequent determination orders. In other states
and territories, the Code is voluntary, so only those
who have signed on to the Code are bound by
it and its determination orders.Keep Australia Moving 06
04. 05.
AUTOMOTIVE-SPECIFIC SKILLS & TRAINING
FRANCHISE CODE
OF CONDUCT
Recommendation: Recommendation:
++ The next Australian Government The next Australian Government should:
should introduce an automotive-specific
Franchise Code of Conduct. ++ Promote the value of automotive apprenticeships
to employers, job seekers, parents and students.
The state motor trade associations have long called ++ Introduce improved support measures and
for the immediate development and implementation incentives for employers to hire and retain
of a specific, mandatory and enforced franchise automotive apprentices, including those from
code for the automotive industry. diverse and non-traditional backgrounds.
Automotive franchise dealers often report unfair ++ Introduce meaningful industry-led VET advisory
and anti-competitive commercial behaviour by councils and KPIs to TAFE institutes to engage
franchisors against smaller independent operators with industry.
and franchisees. An example of unfair practices ++ Introduce tighter enforcement of VET regulation.
includes the drafting of anti-competitive business
practices within franchise agreements, often ++ Make changes to Australia’s migration program
blatantly disregarding the provisions of the to improve its accessibility and responsiveness
national Franchise Code of Conduct. to better meet skill and labour needs in the
automotive industry.
Automotive-specific franchise businesses also
differ substantially from other types of franchises. The Australian automotive industry is experiencing
Dealerships (of light and heavy vehicles and the most profound skills shortage in its history.
motorcycles), fuel retailers and car rental franchises National figures suggest the industry requires an
typically require a large capital outlay and additional 35,000 skilled workers. Skills shortages are
infrastructure set-up costs, which increase the affecting almost half of the industry, limiting business
financial risk taken on by the businesses. investment, employment, planning and growth.
This risk is heightened when a franchise termination To combat this problem and prepare for the
notice can be as little as three months and multi- jobs of the future, the VACC makes the following
brand sharing of a facility is forbidden. recommendations.
Specific performance, extension and termination
Promote the value of automotive apprenticeships
clauses for automotive retail are urgently required.
to employers, job seekers, parents and students.
The introduction of such an automotive-specific
Franchise Code of Conduct would allow for greater The automotive industry argues that raising the
business certainty, reduced risk to employment and profile of automotive apprenticeships has flow-
improve investment into franchises by franchisees. on benefits to improved commencement and
completion rates for automotive apprentices.
Job seekers and school leavers need quality careers
advice, with a focus on the viability, transferability
and respectability of an automotive trade career.
This advice should include informing parents,
teachers and other youth leaders who are the
primary influencers in a student’s career choice.Keep Australia Moving 07
Automotive apprenticeships need to be promoted cumbersome, with a focus on administration rather
as a credible career path, with vibrant new than strategic outcomes. It is imperative that the
technologies emerging such as hybrid, fully AISC is agile, truly reflective of industry and able to
electric and autonomous vehicles. contribute to the development of genuine, industry-
informed training.
Introduce improved support measures and
incentives for employers to hire and retain Introduce tighter enforcement of VET regulation.
automotive apprentices, including those from
The auditing of registered training organisations
diverse and non-traditional backgrounds.
(RTOs) against the relevant standards is inconsistent
It is crucial that the right mix of incentives is and unreliable. The automotive industry calls for
offered to encourage the hiring and retention more scrupulous enforcement of VET regulations,
of apprentices; for example, female apprentices as the current approach of desktop auditing does
in non-traditional trades. little to properly inform policymakers of real training
outcomes, which are often graduates who are ill-
The present system is based on incentives for equipped for employment by automotive businesses.
businesses to hire specific candidates, usually
those facing employment barriers. The automotive Industry argues for the use of industry-based subject
industry argues that the system should be matter experts to assist with onsite audits and
broadened to encourage employers to engage provide up-to-date industry knowledge. This would
across a much broader spectrum of candidates. also assist with reinforcing industry expectations
This would improve retention rates and levels on outcomes.
of employment diversity across the industry.
Make changes to Australia’s migration program
Incentives should also be structured to encourage to improve its accessibility and responsiveness
employers to retain and invest in their apprentices, to better meet skill and labour needs in the
as opposed to one-off payments for placement. automotive industry.
Introduce meaningful industry-led VET advisory Skills shortages continue to affect the automotive
councils and KPIs to TAFE institutes to engage industry, necessitating the employment of skilled
with industry. migrants. Migration is a positive contributor to
the Australian economy, delivering a distinct
The automotive industry is disappointed at the comparative advantage through the mix of
extent of its disconnect with the TAFE sector. younger, skilled migrants, working holiday
makers and students.
The industry is calling for a skills framework that
genuinely places industry at the centre of the However, the restriction of temporary skilled
national vocational education and training (VET) migrants in reaction to congestion and
system. This should include a skills advisory council infrastructure fears is worrying. The industry
with the commensurate knowledge, affinity and requires access to a skilled labour pool to
understanding of the industry needed to inform the operate and grow its businesses. Further
development of VET programs. This has often been restrictions to this will have profound, negative
outsourced to consultants who have a superficial economic repercussions.
understanding of the automotive industry, which
subsequently affects the efficacy and quality of the The automotive industry recommends that
training offered. the Federal Government make changes to its
migration program to improve its accessibility and
It is essential the TAFE sector actively engages with responsiveness to better meet skill and labour needs.
industry. TAFE and industry engagement was higher These changes should include access to all skilled
two decades ago, but has been declining ever since. occupations for employer-nominated migration,
Industry argues that TAFE institutions should have ensure visa fees and charges are internationally
key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with competitive, set the cap for permanent migration
their level of engagement with industry. based on evidence of economic benefit, and
improve the processing times and affordability
The role of the Australian Industry Skills Committee
of the program.
(AISC) appears to be largely irrelevant andKeep Australia Moving 08
06.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Recommendation: The burden of many social-related issues falls on
businesses – especially small businesses – that
The next Australian Government should: cannot pass on the increased financial costs to
consumers. Employers have the delicate job of
++ Ensure payment for domestic violence leave
balancing the care and wellbeing of staff against
does not become the responsibility of employers.
financial obligations. Should government legislate
++ Commit to a review of the Small Business that employers must pay an additional five days of
Fair Dismissal Code and the procedural FDVL, the total number of paid leave days available
fairness process. would rise to 54. This is a direct cost to the employer
that will be a further disincentive to business
++ Oppose the introduction of industrial
development and growth.
manslaughter laws across Australian states
and territories.
Commit to a review of the Small Business Fair
++ Exclude group training organisations from Dismissal Code and the procedural fairness process.
any National Labour Hire Licensing Scheme.
The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code (SBFDC) and
the general procedural fairness framework used by
Australia has become a costly place for small
the Fair Work Commission to determine whether a
businesses to hire, retain and manage staff. It is also
termination was harsh, unjust and/or unreasonable
one of the most heavily regulated labour markets in
has failed to produce a fair and balanced approach
the world, consistently ranking poorly on flexibility
to termination issues. Consequently, employers are
and responsiveness when compared internationally.
showing a reluctance to employ staff. The present
In order to assist businesses to grow and employ SBFDC is not considered to be effective or reliable
more staff, the automotive industry recommends by industry and should be reviewed.
the following industrial relations reforms.
Oppose the introduction of industrial manslaughter
Ensure payment for domestic violence leave does laws across Australian states and territories.
not become the responsibility of employers. The automotive industry opposes the introduction
All employees (including part-time and casual of industrial manslaughter laws across all
employees) are now entitled to five days of Australian states.
unpaid family and domestic violence leave
Industrial manslaughter laws have recently been
(FDVL) each year.
legislated in Queensland, making it the first
The automotive industry understands the need for Australian state to subject companies to new
flexibility, together with empathy and understanding criminal offences of corporate manslaughter and
for domestic violence issues. However, it is industry’s negligently causing serious harm. Such offences
position that the five days unpaid leave should not include serious fines and impose criminal liability
be converted to paid leave. on individual directors and senior managers.Keep Australia Moving 09
To date, there is no evidence that increasing the
severity of penalties corresponds or correlates with
“ AUSTRALIA HAS
a reduction in workplace deaths and/or injury. BECOME A COSTLY
Such a law will see a move towards expensive PLACE FOR SMALL
legal solutions rather than preventive strategies.
The court system and WorkCover resources will be BUSINESSES TO HIRE,
overburdened as defendants are more likely
to contest these matters judicially.
RETAIN AND MANAGE
The automotive industry acknowledges that
STAFF. IT IS ALSO
workplace safety is a serious issue. However, ONE OF THE MOST
mandating harsher penalties, increasing regulation
and threatening managers and directors with HEAVILY REGULATED
greater prison sentences than those that exist under
health and safety legislation will not achieve the
LABOUR MARKETS IN
desired outcome, which is to change behaviours THE WORLD...”
and eliminate dangerous practices.
Exclude group training organisations from any
National Labour Hire Licensing Scheme.
The proposed National Labour Hire Licensing
Scheme (NLHLS) should exempt group training
organisations (GTOs) from its provisions.
Apprenticeship programs, such as those delivered
by motor trade associations across Australia, are
already held accountable via national industry
standards, with an independent audit process
conducted by specific state and territory providers.
GTOs do not have the same operating memorandum
as a labour hire business and as such have
been regulated efficiently through national
GTO standards that shape GTO ethos.
It is important to note employer association-led
apprenticeship programs coordinate an essential
link between business and youth in Australia.
They also facilitate the development of the
employment skills needed by industry to grow
into the future. Additional regulation, by way
of a NLHLS, is unnecessary, and burdensome.Keep Australia Moving 10
07.
END-OF-LIFE VEHICLE PROGRAM
Recommendation: Countries such as Germany, South Korea, Japan,
the United Kingdom and Norway have implemented
The next Australian Government should: regulated ELV policies. They acknowledge
that a sound ELV strategy is essential to good
++ Develop a national program aimed at the
environmental and economic management. Such
proper disposal of end-of-life vehicles.
systems also contribute to meeting environmental
++ Conduct a review into the structural issues obligations under international law.
that are preventing automotive recyclers
and other industry sectors from accessing Recognising the environmental and economic
business insurance. concerns related to the disposal of ELVs, the
automotive industry recommends that the
Federal Government works towards a nationally
Australia does not have a national policy dealing
implemented ELV plan.
with end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Such a policy
vacuum leaves the auto recycling sector vulnerable Finally, a lack of available business insurance
to rogue traders and environmental breaches. (such as professional liability; property; workers’
compensation; product liability and business
The emergence of illegal wreckers who operate
interruption insurance) for automotive recyclers
outside the regulatory guidelines is a serious
and other automotive businesses has reached
problem across all states and territories and has the
crisis point, with many businesses forced to trade
capacity to make lawful vehicle recycling operations
without insurance. The next Federal Government
unviable. Effects of such practices include tax
should conduct a review into the structural
evasion and non-compliance with occupational
issues obstructing businesses’ access to this
health and safety and environmental protection
essential cover.
laws. It is constantly reported that illegal operators
provide components to the black market, supporting
underground and often illegal operations.
Landfill is also a serious concern for this sector.
The variation in quality, quantity and consistency
of plastics, along with the extent to which plastic is
distributed throughout the vehicle, make it difficult
to determine what is worth recycling. The recycling
process is costly and plastic is in direct competition
with other more valuable materials such as steel
and aluminium. As a result, the majority of plastic
recovered from vehicles is sent to landfill.Keep Australia Moving 11
08.
IMPROVED DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
IN REGIONAL AREAS OF AUSTRALIA
Recommendation: Tractors, harvesters and other agricultural
machinery are now interconnected via satellite
++ The next Australian Government should commit services. Service and diagnostic capabilities, as
to supporting and facilitating public and private well as GPS, are built into their systems, which
investment that will improve digital connectivity communicate through 4G technology.
across regional and remote areas of Australia.
The impact of poor quality and unreliable digital
Many regional businesses use digital technologies in connectivity sees some businesses resorting to fixed
a variety of ways to improve their productivity and cable in a bid to solve issues such as slow broadband
generate higher profits. However, for many regional speeds and irregularities in their wireless connection.
businesses, the quality and reliability of internet Others have installed large antennas to fix problems
access services and mobile phone reception are with their satellite connections.
substandard, limiting a business’s ability to fully
More specifically, the cost of some digital
utilise digital technologies to grow, employ staff
technologies – such as the National Broadband Sky
and better service customers.
Muster satellite – is so prohibitive that they remain
Slow download times coupled with constant out of reach for many small businesses and it has
disruptions, drop-outs and outages make it almost affected their broader uptake.
impossible for regional businesses to rely on the
There is a strong argument that good mobile
network. There are also reports of poor mobile
phone coverage is both an economic and business
phone reception – only one bar out of four – in some
imperative, as well as a ‘social good’. Government
regions. Such poor-quality reception limits effective
needs to support and facilitate public and private
communication between businesses and their
investment to improve mobile phone coverage
customers, resulting in numerous missed calls, lost
and provide reliable internet connectivity across
business and consumer dissatisfaction.
regional Australia.
“T
HE IMPACT OF POOR QUALITY AND UNRELIABLE
DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY SEES SOME BUSINESSES
RESORTING TO FIXED CABLE IN A BID TO SOLVE
ISSUES SUCH AS SLOW BROADBAND SPEEDS AND
IRREGULARITIES IN THEIR WIRELESS CONNECTION.”Keep Australia Moving 12
09.
ABOLITION OF THE
LUXURY CAR TAX
Recommendation:
“T
HE LUXURY CAR
++ The next Australian Government should abolish
the luxury car tax or at the very least raise the
TAX WAS INTRODUCED
vehicle cost threshold to a minimum of $125,000. IN 2000 TO ENCOURAGE
The luxury car tax (LCT) was introduced in 2000 to
BUYERS TO PURCHASE
encourage buyers to purchase locally manufactured
vehicles instead of imported prestige vehicles. The
LOCALLY MANUFACTURED
end of passenger vehicle manufacturing in Australia VEHICLES INSTEAD
now makes this tax redundant.
OF IMPORTED PRESTIGE
LCT is charged at 33 per cent on the proportion
of the vehicle priced over $66,331 (or $75,526 for VEHICLES. THE END
vehicles categorised as ‘fuel efficient’). These
thresholds are absurdly low and affect many working
OF PASSENGER VEHICLE
vehicles. This includes four-wheel-drive vehicles MANUFACTURING IN
that meet the needs of rural consumers, such as the
Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan AUSTRALIA NOW MAKES
Patrol. They are all priced above the LCT threshold.
These vehicles are essential for performing transport
THIS TAX REDUNDANT. ”
tasks on roads and in conditions that are often
unsuitable for regular vehicles. This consequently
penalises consumers in rural and regional
communities, who are often the purchasers
of such vehicles for work purposes.
The automotive industry strongly believes that the
LCT is unfair and discriminatory towards motor
vehicle dealers and consumers. It acts to artificially
inflate the price of vehicles that offer the latest in
safety and emission technologies.
There is gross inequity given traditional luxury items
such as yachts and jewellery do not attract the same
type of additional taxation.
The automotive industry recommends that the
Federal Government act to:
• abolish the luxury car tax, or
• raise the threshold to a minimum of $125,000.Keep Australia Moving 13
10.
RED-TAPE REDUCTION AND
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
Recommendation: Specifically, reforms are required for the following
variations in state and territory regulation:
The next Australian Government should:
• application and payment of state-based
++ Use the Council of Australian Governments motor vehicle duty
(COAG) to reduce red-tape and better align
• component or drive-away pricing
state-based legislation and regulation to
improve business competitiveness and • registration transfer processes of interstate-
consumer certainty regarding the registration, registered vehicles
repair and retailing of motor vehicles • classification of written-off vehicles
across Australia. • vehicle standards.
++ Develop technical notes that would assist
There is also evidence of wide variability in the
state-based adjudicators to make more
interpretation and application of Australian
consistent decisions when applying the
Consumer Law (ACL) by state-based Offices of
Australian Consumer Law to motor vehicle
Fair Trading (OFT). This inconsistency leads to
faults and warranty issues.
unnecessary stress and financial imposts on both
consumers and business. At present, there is no
The retail sale, registration and repair of motor common standard for the interpretation of the
vehicles in Australia are made difficult by complex ACL when applied to the complexities of motor
and inconsistent state-based legislation and vehicle retailing.
regulation. Industry and consumers face confusing
and varied red-tape requirements when acquiring, To address this problem, VACC recommends
transferring, repairing or obtaining a roadworthy the development of technical guidance notes to
certificate in different jurisdictions. accompany specific provisions of the ACL that relate
to motor vehicle retailing and repairs. This would
In the era of the digital marketplace, regulation facilitate a more consistent and fairer application
related to the retail automotive industry should be of the ACL across state-based tribunals and courts.
simplified. This would create a level playing field
across states and territories and reduce costs for
consumers and automotive businesses.
The next Australian Government should use
COAG to identify areas for red-tape reduction and
discuss opportunities to better align state-based
legislation and regulation – improving business
competitiveness and consumer certainty when
registering, repairing or retailing a motor vehicle
across Australia.Keep Australia Moving 14
A
bout the Australian
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry embodies a range of sectors including:
repair and maintenance; car rental and hiring; commercial vehicles
(light and heavy trucks and trailers); auto recyclers; towing services;
fuel retailing; parts and tyre retailing; motor vehicle and motor
vehicle parts manufacturing; exporting and wholesaling; motor
vehicle retailing; marine; bicycle retailing; agricultural and mining
machinery; and outdoor power equipment.
The industry contributed approximately $37 billion to the Australian
economy (2.2% of GDP), made up of 69,365 automotive businesses,
who employ 385,000 people nationally.
There were 19.2 million registered vehicles on Australia’s roads as
of January 2018 and around 5 million new and used vehicles sold.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force DataKeep Australia Moving 15
Policy contact:
Dr Imogen Reid
Industry Policy Adviser, VACC.
ireid@vacc.com.au
(03) 9829 1145
0428 334 128
Media contact:
David Dowsey
Head of Marketing, Media,
Communications &
Publications, VACC.
ddowsey@vacc.com.au
(03) 9829 1247
0419 361 122Keep Australia Moving 16 Notes
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