Media Release - 6 January 2015 NSW GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO THE SMASH REPAIRS INQUIRY Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said he welcomes new measures to protect consumers, including a stronger industry code of conduct for the motor vehicle industry and a licensing scheme for car insurance loss assessors. Mr Bromhead said following careful consideration, the NSW Government was supporting 18 of the 21 key recommendations made by of the Select Committee’s report into the Motor Vehicle Dealer and Repairers industry. “The decision to act on these specific recommendations is about ensuring that motor vehicle safety standards are at the highest level to deliver the best outcome for consumers, as well as making sure the industry is effectively regulated,” he said. “To improve consumer and repairer confidence in the industry, a licensing regime will be established, administered by Fair Trading with plans to legislate on this recommendation next year. We believe this will improve consumer and repairer confidence in the industry. “While the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct is mandatory in NSW, unlike most of the other states and territories, the NSW Government believes the code needs to be toughened. “The NSW Government will introduce legislation next year to toughen penalties for offences where there is a breach of the code or anyone engages in misleading and deceptive conduct.’’ Legislation will also be introduced next year to increase access for repairers seeking assistance from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner. “The NSW Government will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth, which regulates the insurance industry, and industry to increase transparency in insurance contracts when it comes to a consumer’s right to choose their own mechanic,’’ Mr Bromhead said. “These significant measures, combined with the new motor vehicle laws, which started on the 1 December, will ensure NSW consumers have high vehicle safety standards.” In September, the maximum penalty for any dealer or repairer altering a car odometer was doubled to $22,000. A new public name and shame register has also been established to allow consumers to check if a dealer or repairer has a current license or any disciplinary action recorded against them. To view the Government’s full response to the inquiry, visit fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or you can contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 02:58:27 +0000
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