The Takata Airbag recall has been a big issue and a timely and comprehensive automotive retail briefing from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) officers and Corrs Chambers Westgarth (advisors to the Takata Task Force) was held at the MTA Queensland’s corporate headquarters for new and second-hand vehicle dealers, dismantlers, and all industry participants affected by the recall. It was in response to member enquiries and some continuing uncertainty on how to handle the recall.
In Viewpoint (Motor Trader May 2018) I said the compulsory Takata airbag recall was the most ‘all consuming’ of the many industry policy issues with which I’d been involved over some fifteen years. it remains so, with detail changing and some four million cars now affected. The level of reporting obligations increase next month giving further detailed information. There will be four possible categories of the recall status of affected vehicles; Critical, Active, Complete and Future to ensure that all vehicles were managed expeditiously, safely and timely.
Our Parts Recyclers members also had the opportunity to participate in a national teleconference relating to the airbag recall and the specific impact on their businesses. Of concern for dismantlers is Section 5(10) to (13) of the recall notice about using their best endeavours to notify vehicle manufacturers about affected spare parts in their possession.
Advocacy
I’ve two policy submissions pending: The National Transport Commission’s Safety Assurance for Automated Driving Systems Consultation Regulation Impact Statement; and the Queensland Transport and Public Works Committee Inquiry into Transport Technology. The latter inquiry includes the changes in fuel type usage in the sectors of personal transport, freight transport and public transport, such as the increasing uptake of hybrid and electric vehicles; the readiness of the transport network for increasing electrification of vehicles in coming years; and technology that is affecting employment arrangements in the transport industry.
This is an important matter and I’d welcome members’ views in preparing submission for lodgement on 28 August.
Divisions
Increasingly, women are assuming diverse roles in the automotive value chain from the workshop floor, to assistant and managerial positions, and to apprenticeships. Two exceptional women have chosen the sector as a career and serve on MTA Queensland’s divisional committees.
Andrea McCarthy from McCarthy Panel Works in North Mackay sits on the National Auto Collision Alliance and has done so since 2014. Andrea serves as the Division’s secretary bringing to the role broad understanding of the repair business due to some two decades in the sector. Important to her is networking, staying up-to-date on industry development and highlighting regional issues which differ from those in the metropolitan areas.
Townsville’s R.H.D. Classic Supplies and Services owner Sharine Milne is a newcomer to the Queensland Motorcycle Industry Division Committee. Sharine brings diverse experience in the motorcycle services, parts and accessories business including training. In 2017, Sharine was awarded the Small Employer of the Year for the North Queensland region at the State’s Training Awards. This achievement builds on her record as a former finalist in TAFE’s Pre-Vocational Student of the Year competition and the 2004 national Ulysses Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year winner. Community engagement has been a long-term focus for Sharine resulting in R.H.D being recognised with the 2016 MTA Queensland Community Award.
I look forward to working with Andrea and Sharine on their respective divisional issues and encourage women to be involved in the automotive value chain and consider roles as industry representatives.
MTA Queensland Website
The MTA Queensland website is undergoing redesign to create a better user experience. It will go live on 1 August 2018. The website is a constant online presence that establishes the image and information on which members and visitors alike make a judgment call as to its value. It’s the first place that people will go to learn about the Association. No significant change is envisaged. The favourites will be there such as the Jobs Board, ISMAA (Industry Automotive Apprentice Mentoring program), and the Motor Trader e-magazine, plus some new ones.
New is the Member Portal containing a ‘Knowledge Base’ which is a resource area available exclusively to MTA Queensland members. The ‘Knowledge Base’ has a library of industry resources, marketing material and Industrial Relations information such as Wages Guides, Awards, Tax Sheets, Workplace Health and Safety and other essential information. Members can access the Member Portal from the navigation bar on the front of the website.
Member’s will have ample time to become familiar with the site and the sign-in requirements for the ‘exclusive’ portal. An email detailing access will be sent to all members in July. Look for more information on our new website in this Motor Trader.
Industry News
The budget season is over for another 12 months. Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Brett Dale attended the State Budget ‘lock-up’ for the Premier the Hon Anastacia Palaszczuk and the Treasurer the Hon Jacklyn Trad’s briefing on the budget and economy. The State Budget included the innovation and training funding priorities and electricity initiatives to make power prices more affordable for residential and business customers that formed part of our budget presentation.
There were the expected revenue increases that will impact the value chain such as the increase in motor vehicle registration fees and the new 2 per cent transfer duty on new cars costing more than $100,000. This measure will raise an estimated $25 million a year.
Within the automotive value chain there are concerns about this new duty. It was one of four new taxes announced during the 2018 State election process by the caretaker Palaszczuk Government to pay for its election promises. The re-elected government has a mandate to introduce the suite of new revenue raising taxes.
A suite of five Road Vehicle Standard bills that regulate the importation and provision of road vehicles is before the Senate. The bills have been introduced as a replacement for the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which has now been in force for nearly three decades. The Road Vehicles Standard Bill 2018 provides the overarching framework and includes: prohibiting the importation into Australia of road vehicles that do not comply with national road vehicle standards, except in limited circumstances; establishing a Register of Approved Vehicles, on which road vehicles must be entered before they are introduced to the Australian market; establishing a framework for the recall of road vehicles and approved road vehicle components; and providing for criminal offences etc.
The commencement of the suite of bills will occur 12 months after the passage and royal assent of the legislation – to give the automotive industry sufficient time and legislative certainty to adapt to the detail of the new Act.
Finally
Yes, it’s time to talk about the Annual Industry Dinner (previously the President’s Ball). Now in its fifth year, it is the signature social event on the MTA Queensland calendar. This is the only event when we unite to celebrate the motor trades and achievement. It’s on Saturday, 10 November at W Brisbane, 81 North Quay.
By popular demand the Annual Industry Dinner is semi-formal. The 2018 theme is ‘New World Automotive’, the Master of Ceremonies is the ever-popular Shane Jacobson
and the guest speaker is Professional Drift Driver Jake Jones. For now, the important part, is to enter the date in your schedule and it would be wise to purchase tickets early.
Until July, take care and stay safe.