Eight steps: What the White paper says the government should consider:
1 - Do nothing and maintain current vehicle prices and standards.
2 - Repeal current legislation altogether, leaving consumers vulnerable to vehicles that do not meet standards, and exposing the environment to increased pollution.
3 - Modernise 25-year-old legislation with a goal of making the industry more transparent, effective and efficient.
4 – Introduce stronger legislation that tightens vehicle regulations, giving the government more power to enforce recalls and create its own regulatory body separate to the current Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
5 – Harmonise Australian Design Rules with international standards, making vehicles cheaper.
6 – Streamline the vehicle certification process, allowing large numbers of privately imported vehicles to enter Australia as long as they meet the same standards as models officially imported by car companies and dealer networks.
7 - Reduce barriers to personal imports, which would include the removal of a $12,000 tariff on vehicles without import approval, reducing the cost of second-hand cars and possibly driving down prices for new vehicles as a result.
8 – Consolidate concessional arrangements to make it easier for people and businesses to import cars.
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"Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Jamie Briggs, says the discussion paper is only the first step to reviewing legislation that may have passed its use-by date.
"No decision has been taken by the Australian Government to reduce these restrictions and we have no intention to allow Australia to become the dumping ground for other countries' second-hand lemons,"
"Any potential changes to the Act will be comprehensively examined in close consultation with stakeholders, and I strongly encourage interested parties to put forward their views."
The Government is open to consultation until October 13."
I wonder of the Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs is preparing a submission?
