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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3379 ..

Vehicle immobilisers

(Question No 278)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Corrections, upon notice, on 24 September 2002:

(1) How many motor vehicles were (a) stolen (b) recovered undamaged in the ACT in years 2000 and 2001.

(2) Has the Minister seen the recent reports (Bulletin September 11) upon the success in Western Australia of a vehicle immobiliser that costs $150 and is claimed to have halved car stealing in that state.

(3) Is the ACT Government considering making the fitting of such an immobiliser law for all vehicles registered in the ACT.

(4) If so, when will the legislation be enacted and if not, why not.

Mr Wood: As Acting Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Corrections, the answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1)(a) There were 3019 vehicles stolen (including trailers and caravans) in the ACT during the year 2000.

There were 2520 vehicles stolen (including trailers and caravans) in the ACT during the year 2001.

(b) Of the 3019 vehicles stolen during 2000, 2677 have since been recovered.

Of the 2520 vehicles stolen during 2001, 2200 have since been recovered.

It would be a labour intensive search to identify the actual number of the vehicles that were recovered undamaged. I am not prepared to authorise the use of the very considerable resources that would be involved in providing the detailed information required to answer the Member's question.

(2) Yes.

(3) No.

The ACT is currently participating in a National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council initiative "Immobilise Now". The ACT has contributed $24,000 to a radio advertising campaign to encourage owners of older vehicles to voluntarily install engine immobilisers. The cost of an immobiliser is approximately $180 which is a considerable impost on owners of older vehicles. Currently there are approximately 50 000 vehicles registered in the ACT which are over ten years old and of these approximately 20% have immobilisers installed. As a 1 July 2001 all new vehicles are required to be fitted with immobilisers.

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