Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Thursday, 12 February 2004) . . Page.. 388 ..

In relation to motor vehicle repairers’ code of conduct:

(1) What changes have been made to this code of conduct recently;

(2) Why are repairers being forced to sign up to the code of conduct;

(3) Has the government had any complaints about the new changes or new enforcement guidelines put in place, if so, how many and what were the complaints highlighting.

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Code Administration Committee, which is established to administer the Code, has commenced a process of reviewing the Code. There have not been any substantive changes to the Code in the last year. The Committee did agree as part of the relaunch of the Code in September 2002 that a repairer would be complying with the Code if they displayed a copy of the Schedule A under the Code and provided a copy of the schedule to consumers, if requested, rather than being required to provide a copy to all clients.

(2) The Code is a mandatory Code under the Fair Trading Act 1992. A person providing repairs is required to be registered under the Code and to comply with the other requirements outlined in the Code. The Office of Fair Trading (the OFT) has been pursuing a compliance program since the relaunch of the Code in September 2002 which initially focused on ensuring that all participants in the industry were registered. The program was delayed while court action was taken against two traders as test cases. Those matters have now been resolved and the OFT has recommenced its compliance activities concerning registration under the Code.

(3) As part of the review of the Code industry participants who have ideas and concerns about the Code are being requested to put them in writing to the Code Administration Committee. I have referred one letter outlining concerns about the Code to the Committee for its information and attention. Issues raised included ongoing promotion of the existence of the Code, what constitutes ‘adequate equipment and expertise’ under the Code, and educational qualifications for mechanics.

Government patrons
(Question No 1167)

Mr Smyth asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 10 December 2003

In relation to patrons, what organizations in the ACT are you the patron of?

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

The following is a list of organizations that I have accepted to be patron of since coming into office in November 2001.

Australia Day in the National Capital

Australia/Japan Society

Australian Computer Society Inc

ACT Organ Donation Awareness Foundation

Belconnen Soccer Club

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .