.. just received today a "discussion paper" from the Dept of Transport in Canberra.. address to people who import a few cars.. and they start off by asking of our reaction to there subliminal questions of questions..
.. What the DOT wants to do.. is >. SINCE the amount of imports of (mainly JAP) cars has increased about 1,500% in the last 5 years.. and most other 15 year and older stuff by about 20%.. they are looking to TRY and restrict the amount of imports...
.. They have already done this implementing their bright spark RAWs certified conversion workshop scheme which kicked off early last year.. resulting in most all converters closing up or just doing older cars.
.. Since the 5 or 6 RAWS certifies are claimed to have spearheaded a remarkable safety standard system and financially invested alot in the DOT RAWS scheme.. they want to TRY and bring about public opinion to have now all vehicles UNDER THIRTY YEARS restricted imports...
.. They ask a question like 'should we leave it alone".. and suffer the continued increases in imports of unsafe older vehicles that might or might not comply with various standards..
They state that ""according to Aust Bureau of Stats.. the average age of the motor vehicle fleet is 10.5 years.. Entry of more vehicle 50% older then the average fleet age will increase the fleet age.. these vehicles are likely to be poorer performers than the mainstream fleet in terms of emissions and safety.
They go on about emissions of newer cars being much better an all the more need to restrict imports etc...
Primarily they are stating three options they are GOING to introduce ONE on Jan 1 05... and from reading the full paper to day .. I reading between the lines.. they appear to have made up their mind already for figure it's option three..but want to make it look good like they are asking for interest etc..and like they will accept the comments if it is not what they want to have happen.. YER RIGHT....
(1) Make no changes to th current arrangements ie continue to allow unrestricted importation of vehicles 15 years or more old.
(2) From 1 Jan, 05 allow only vehicle manufactured PRIOR to 1 Jan 1989 to be imported without restrictions.
(3) From 1 January 2005 allow only vehicles 30 years of age or older to be imported without restriction.
(Option 3.. without them saying on the front page.. leaves the door open for them to make you comply your 30 year old to 15 year old freshly imported car to the new mega buck standards.. thereby giving the ailing RAWS scheme holders a bigger slice of business. ((forced on the car owner)).. and gives Canberra the ability to additionally make more tax and fees from the scheme..
They also would like to expand their RAWS scheme to get back in the fee money from converters who quit the trade..)
To give you and idea of the figures on imports..
First column 1998 first 6 months & then 1st 6 months of 03.
MB 329 414
Ford 249 301
Toyota 48 833
Chev 120 256
Mitsubishi 22 588
Nissan 62 443
Other 512 989
.. it doesn't take much to see where the interest lay..
