August 23, 2018
Industry groups have come out on Thursday to calm fears aroused by media reports about proposed changes to 4WD modification rules in Queensland.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) – the peak body for manufacturers, distributors and retailers of automotive parts and accessories – and the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) – the peak national body for the caravanning and camping industry – issued a media statement “to clarify the situation relating to proposed 4WD law changes in Queensland which has generated media coverage around the country in recent days”.
The Courier-Mail reported on Tuesday the new laws would “stop upgrades to 4WD vehicles to allow them to tow larger caravans, boats, horse floats and work toolbox trailers. The new laws mean any Queensland driver wanting to buy a caravan will probably need to buy a new vehicle as well”.
The report said accessories such as water tanks, extended fuel tanks, bull bars and winches force many vehicles over their legal weight limit, which makes upgrades to suspension and shock absorbers necessary.
“The ban will mean that many caravanners will be lucky to fit two people and a full load of fuel into their vehicles before they are over the legal towing limit,” the Courier-Mail reported.
However, the AAAA and the CIAA said the report was exaggerated.
“The recent media articles, specifically those that appear in the Courier-Mail, vastly exaggerate the effect of the current Federal Government rules which only apply to towing capacity upgrades made on pre-registered vehicles. This has understandably alarmed industry businesses along with their customers,” the statement said.
“Members of the AAAA perform safe and responsible vehicle upgrades in Queensland and will continue to do so.
“The AAAA are working constructively with the Queensland Government on their proposed State-based 4WD vehicle modification standards, contrary to what has been stated in several of the recent media articles.
“Both the AAAA and the CIAA support 4WD owners and caravan industry consumers in obtaining responsible vehicle modifications that ensure safer towing.
“Both industry organisations are seeking national uniformity in relation to the highly responsible, effective and road safety enhancing 4WD modification rules that currently apply across the rest of the country.”
However, the groups did express concern about the possibility of different regulations between Queensland and other States, in particular NSW.
AAAA executive director Stuart Charity said it made no sense to think that vehicles which were highly likely to cross State lines were subject to different modification rules.
“We do want to see the Queensland Government take into account the 4WD suspension modification rules that apply in all of the other States and territories,” Mr Charity said.
“There is currently a disconnect between Queensland and NSW on suspension height upgrades and this is of major concern, but to imply that you can’t upgrade a vehicle in Queensland any more is simply not true and has caused major alarm amongst that State’s 4WD and caravanning community, representing hundreds of thousands of motorists.
“The AAAA has invested heavily in providing full engineering and testing evidence to all Federal and State Government regulators to prove the ongoing compliance and safety of suspension upgrades and we look forward to working with the Queensland Government to ensure that any future changes in State regulation have the benefit of input from industry experts.”
CIAA chief executive officer Stuart Lamont said the “lack of harmonisation” of State regulations was confusing the market.
“As one country, the concept of barrier-free travel must be a priority to ensure that the many regional areas that the travelling caravanning community frequents are able to be enjoyed in a safe and legal manner and without frivolous impediment,” he said.
“The caravanning community is worth billions of dollars annually to the Queensland economy and political uncertainty over policy does little to stimulate or provide confidence to the 4WD and caravanning markets.”
The AAAA and CIAA media statement said the groups were “ready to assist in bringing all of the parties together to achieve national consistency in relation to 4WD vehicle upgrades”.
- External link: 4WD Towing Laws To Be Strengthened (Courier-Mail: August 21, 2018)
* * *
Following the Courier-Mail report, the State Government released the following statement by Transport Minister Mark Bailey:
The Palaszczuk Government has made no changes to trailer towing rules in Queensland.
These trailer towing rule changes are set by the Federal Government.
The Federal changes will not come into effect next month in Queensland.
I will be raising all issues presented to me by stakeholders with my federal colleagues.
Safety is of course our highest priority, but the Palaszczuk Government will absolutely reject any changes that unnecessarily disadvantage Queensland drivers or our wider state economy.
