In this month of May, two events occur that will influence members’ business interests and actions. The first, and the nearest to home, is the election of members for six Division Committees and a representative for the Northern District. The second is the Federal Budget outlining the Commonwealth government’s policy issues, revenue aggregates, spending and taxation arrangements.
The Association’s structure is based on 11 industry Divisions, six of which, under the constitution, are on a rotating basis and must face annual elections this year. Nominations have been called for (5) QLD Farm and Industrial Machinery Division positions; (5) QLD Motor Cycle Industry Division positions; (7) Tyre and Under Car Division positions; (5) Australian Automobile Dealers Association positions; (10) Automotive Engineers Division positions; (8) National Auto Collison Alliance; and (1) representative for the Northern District position.
Nominations for the positions open at midday on Tuesday, 1 May 2018 and close at midday Friday, 1 June 2018. The election will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission under the provisions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. More details can be found on the website and the advertisement in this Motor Trader edition.
These elections occur amidst much digital, technological and economic change. In these circumstances leadership, engagement and advocacy is vital for awareness and discussion of policy changes and influencing decision making. I urge members aligned to the various sectors and in the Northern District to seriously consider nominating to serve on a Divisional Committee or the District. The elected chair represents the specific industry Division or District on the MTA Queensland Board and contributes to its constitutional obligations and responsibilities. The Association has as its core business service delivery, innovation, training and advocacy and due to its commercial interests may be classed as a medium-sized business.
Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Brett Dale and I share a desire for women members to be in representation positions. The Association is committed to equal participation and I encourage our women members to consider nominating. I suggest a perusal of the MTA Queensland’s constitution would be a good start to commence thinking about nominating. It’s friendly, and accessible from our website. I am happy to discuss any of the requirements for Committee participation with members – please call if you have any questions or would like to know more.
The other event with the capacity to affect member’s businesses is, of course, the Commonwealth Budget. I’ll be listening to and scanning it closely for any policy decisions of relevance to members’ commercial interests. Earlier, we made a pre-budget submission outlining priorities for the coming financial year. These included: training and skills investment; a further extension of the $20,000 instant asset tax write-off for small/medium enterprises with an up to $10 million annual turnover; abolition of the luxury car tax; affordable energy supply; continuation of telecommunications and land transport infrastructure funding. As is the practice after Commonwealth and State Budgets, an overview relevant to the automotive value chain will be on the website.
Advocacy
There’s a busy schedule of written advocacy duties. Completed and forwarded to the Commonwealth Treasury was our response to the consultation Regulation Impact Statement relating to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Review: Clarification, simplification and modernisation of the consumer guarantee framework. It is on the website for members to peruse. This submission built on a decade of contributions to the ACL framework. Currently, consideration is being given to input into a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of the Franchising Code of Conduct. Again, I will draw on long-term comments expressed in previous submissions and, of course, the contemporary views of members. After being lodged, I’ll place it on the website.
I’ve been working with the Auto Parts Recyclers Division on views for a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement inquiry into the theft and export of motor vehicles and parts. The Committee is considering the extent of and trends in theft and trafficking of motor vehicles and parts. According to the National Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, stolen vehicles exported as a whole, parts or scrap account for 4 in 10 profit-motivated theft. And, this trend is rising. It appears on the surface a more complex issue impacting our members and that is compliance by all operators.
Pending too is a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics to its inquiry into impediments to business investment in Australia. The Committee will examine how governments at all levels can better support business investment in Australia. The terms of reference are wide including: the reduction of the cumulative regulatory burden and the impact of innovation policies (Commonwealth and State) on business investment; and the role of innovation policies in encouraging greater business investment. I welcome members’ views on this or other issues.
Industry Issues
The Tow Truck and Other Legislation Act 2018 came into effect on Monday 16 April with the purpose of protecting motorists from unscrupulous tow truck operators. The legislation was based on recommendations made by an independent investigation into the removal of parked vehicles from private car parks. The overhaul of the industry included changes to licence requirements, fees, signage, privacy, education and enforcement. For more information, members may access it at – https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Accreditations/Tow-truck-licensing-scheme
The Commissioner of Taxation has advised that it will acquire information during the 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years, on vehicles that have been transferred or newly registered where the purchase price or market value is equal to or greater than $10,000. The information will be obtained from all State and Territory jurisdictions including the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. The data items to be obtained are comprehensive, such as details of the purchaser(s), seller(s), licensed dealer, fleet manager, leasing company (or representative of any of these) and the registering person for an unincorporated body. It is estimated that records of 1.5 million individuals will be obtained each financial year. These records will be electronically matched with ATO data holdings to identify non-compliance with obligations under taxation and superannuation laws.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASB&FEO) has an inquiry underway into the allegation raised in the joint Fairfax/Four Corners investigation into heavy-handed tactics by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) experienced by small business operators. The inquiry has been requested by the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Kelly O’Dwyer. The ASB&FEO is seeking understanding of how the ATO is adversely interacting with small businesses to provide the government with constructive advice. If small business owners have such experiences, they can explain their situation in an email to: [email protected]. Complete anonymity is assured.
Finally
One of our constant advocacy issues to all levels of governments, is red tape reduction. There was an obvious reduction in 2014 under the new Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act 2014 when forms were cut from 14 to just three. Now, the Department of Transport and Main Roads at its customer service centres has commenced the rollout of paperless applications for registration and licensing transactions making it faster and simpler for customers to complete. This enables anyone with an existing smartcard, including Queensland drivers or marine licences and Adult Proof of Age Card, to complete several transactions without filling out a paper form. The initiative will be rolled out in phases for specific transactions during this year. Under the new process, customers still will be required to bring the necessary supporting documents to conduct the business, including identity evidence and any other materials they made need to complete a service.
Until June, take care and stay safe.