Latest News

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 9 August 2010

Office workers, mums, dads, motorcycles and scooters
to converge on Parliament.

On that day, at 12 noon, the street in front of the NSW Parliament will be awash with motorcycle and scooter riders of all ages who will have gathered to show parliamentarians their disgust at the blatant cash-grab that has become the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme under the Keneally government.

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MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NSW GOVERNMENT FAILS THE STATE’S MOTORCYCLISTS ONCE AGAIN
21 July 2010

With the arrival of new mobile speed cameras, and the RTA’s proposed new 4km/h tolerance limit for all speeding offences, it is time to take an objective look at the facts the speed-camera-revenue-addicted Keneally government is not telling us about motorcycles.

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MEDIA RELEASE

22 June 2010

The Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW) has today described the planned increases in motorcycle CTP premiums from July 1st, as further evidence of the failure of Governments to recognise motorcycles as a unique and independent road user group.

Whilst the MCC of NSW understands that changes to the old CTP system were necessary, and even worked with the Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) on these changes, the MCC of NSW has not been provided with any evidence that those drivers or riders causing CTP claims, can justify such extreme increases in prices in some classifications.

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Solid result for motorcycle sales in 2009

Jan 11, 2010

Official figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 115,981 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles were sold last year – a decrease of 13.6 per cent (18,298 units) over 2008.

“Given the circumstances, this is a very solid result,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“The market has come off a very high base over the previous year, so the industry has certainly stood up well to the economic challenges,” he said.

“In fact, this is the fourth highest annual sales result on record and was achieved in tough economic circumstances,” Mr McKellar said.

“Some brands actually increased sales and deserve congratulations for that,” he said.

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Road Rules

The Australian Road Rules were introduced in 1999 to replace various different State road rules with a single uniform set for all of Australia.

A great idea, but in practice it has problems. Consultation is done badly, ignoring anything that does not agree with the prejudices and agenda of some bully members of the ARRMG Committee.

Closing off submission dates early, using anecdotes instead of evidence or simply demonstrating ignorance of the issue have been demonstrated in the past twelve months.

It also appears that the ARRMG just like to fiddle with the Rules for the sake of justifying themselves.

However, they do get some Rule changes right.

Road Rules Process

The Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group (ARRMG) provides advice to the National Transport Commission on Road Rules.

The NTC, as "manager", but not member of the ARRMG, submits changes to the Australian Transport Council, which includes the Minister of every State and Territory If voted upon and accepted by ATC, these changes will become law in every State and Territory

More on ATC, Click here

Methodology of Rules Changes

The Australian Road Rules were approved by Australian Transport Council in January 1999 and published by the National Road Transport Commission in October 1999 in a version which incorporated amendments approved by the Australian Transport Council on 30 June 1999 and 11 October 1999.

When approving the principle Rules in January 1999, the Australian Transport Council also approved a strategy for maintaining the Rules, which included the establishment of a maintenance group, Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group (ARRMG) to amend the Rules to ensure their ongoing relevance.

Amendment packages are developed by the ARRMG which is convened by the National Transport Commission (formerly the National Road Transport Commission) and comprises representatives from State and Territory Transport Agencies and Department of Transport and Regional Services (Commonwealth), Police, and Standards Australia.

An abridged methodology is as follows:

  • the National Transport Commission calls for discussion issues and proposals for change from the ARRMG
  • issues are discussed and proposals put forward for change
  • a Regulatory Impact Statement and draft amendments are developed and agreed to by the ARRMG
  • the Regulatory Impact Statement and draft amendments are release for public comment/consultation (6 week period)
  • all comments received either to the National Transport Commission or individual jurisdictions are considered by the ARRMG
  • modifications are made to the Regulatory Impact Statement and the draft amendments as required and they are then forwarded to the Transport Agencies Chief Executives for endorsement.
  • any issues the Transport Agencies Chief Executives have are addressed and their endorsement sought.
  • the Regulatory Impact Statement and draft amendments are then forwarded to the Australian Transport Council for approval.

During the public comment/consultation phase jurisdictions are urged/encouraged to consult as widely as possible with their stakeholders. Documents are also placed on the National Transport Commission’s web site as well as being forwarded to any National representative body.

Unfortunately, this process doesn't work very at all. There are agendas at work to avoid actual consultation and in ignorance, or using anecdotes, pursue some weird dogma. e.g. the "corgi clause"