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MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN LICENCE SYSTEM NEEDED NOW 
The introduction of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Industry Code of Practice in 1999, hailed what many repairer's and government thought would establish minimum standards in customer service, eliminate the back yard operator and bring about equity and fairness in competition between all repairers.
Unfortunately the code (not unlike all codes of conduct) failed to deliver real benefits to the industry and is now perceived as just another revenue scheme for the ACT Government. Further to this the continued lack of action in commencing any form of legal action by the department against repairers that don’t comply with the code, leaves those repairers complying with the code frustrated and questioning their continued participation.
The solution however is simple,
• Introduce legislation similar to NSW that will encompass the licensing of all technicians and business,
• Remove motor vehicle LPG licensing requirements from the Department of Land and Planning, and
• Ensure that the Office of Regulatory Services has enough resources to ensure all repairers comply with the new legislation.
MTA has commenced discussions with the relevant minister and received a very positive response following a detailed recount of the frustrations being experienced within the industry and the number of repairers that currently fail to comply with the code. The minister agreed to complete some further investigation and then formally respond to our request.
Whilst MTA remains focused on ensuring that the ACT government commits to the introduction of the legislation, I’m of the opinion that the industry needs to lobby respective state governments to introduce mandatory licensing system for all technicians throughout Australia. Whilst other trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters and Builders) for example, have initiated a licensing system within each state/territory, the motor industry has been slow to realize the full benefits and consumer confidence a national licensing system would provide.
Given the every increasing cost in operating a business in today’s economic climate together with continued long term skills shortages, an ACT and/or national licensing system is the only way to rectifying the problems within the industry, restore equity and fairness, increase the trade qualification recognition within the public arena and provide consumer confidence in dealing with licensed repairers.
MTA.ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The annual general meeting of the MTA.ACT was held on Thursday 19 June at the Ainslie Function Centre and the following directors were appointed.
MTA President and Chairman of the Service Station Division - Peter Taylor
MTA Vice President and Chairperson of the Motorcycle Division - Christine Macauley
New Car Division - John McGrath
Used Car Divsion - Paul McGuinness
Tyre & Retreaders Division - Bob Gardner
Auto Mechanical Division - John Whyte
Brake, Clutch & Suspension Division - Rob Cunningham
Body Repair & Towing Division - Denis Sargent
A number of members attended and invited guest, Brett Phillips, Executive Director of Office of Regulatory Services spoke regarding the operations of his department over the last 12months. Mr Phillips first congratulated all directors on their appointment before advising that the department has been through a major reconstruction through the government's initiative to link 6 divisions in to one. This has lead to a major review of business systems and the development of a new website. He went on to state that he now administers over 70 different pieces of legislation and that due to staff shortages ensuring compliance had proved difficult, however staff issues had been rectified and that they would now be taking a pro-active role in educating business on all compliance issues. Whilst his department currently operates out of two sites (Phillip
and Fyshwick), he announced that all divisions would be moving to Fyshwick. Mr Phillips then invited questions from the members present.
PILOT PROGRAM – CERTIFICATE 1 IN AUTOMOTIVE PRE APPRENTICESHIP 
RGT’s commitment to the automotive industry moved up a notch last week with the development and implementation of a Certificate I Automotive pre apprenticeship course for students in year 9 and 10 at Melba Copland Secondary School. The program runs for a total 15 weeks encompassing 13 weeks at RGT’s Automotive Centre in Downer, one day visiting Canberra Toyota’s sites and finally a visit to Toyota Australia’s training centre in Sydney.
The program is designed to provide students with an insight into an automotive industry apprenticeship to which it is hoped that the students will remain in school to complete year 11 and 12 whilst at the same time completing an Australian School based Apprenticeship at Cert II or Cert III level.
Following successful completion of the pilot program, RGT hopes to expand the program next year and make the program available to all students throughout Canberra.
The pilot program receives funding support from the ACT Government with support from the Students to Industry program and Canberra Toyota.
MTA FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS 
MTA Financial Solutions, Here to Help!
As the General Manager of MTA Financial Solutions it gives me great pleasure to have signed on to become a major sponsor of the MTA-ACT. In NSW over the last few years we have been able to add a great deal of value to many businesses and individuals related to the motor industry and have located a truly genuine need being an organization that understands how the industry works and being able to get things done and over the line in a fast, cheap and easy manner. I personally look after commercial loans as well as complicated residential investment lending and we also have a plant & equipment specialist and another home loan specialist. Dealing with over 40 different lenders and also having access to some of our own managed funds gives us a great deal of flexibility and negotiating power to get you a better structure and a better deal, even with your existing bank and a lot of the
time they’ll pay us for doing it. I will be down in the ACT several times in the coming weeks and welcome any MTA-ACT member, their staff or family who believes that we can help them to call me personally and I would love to organize a time to meet with you and look to improving your current situation.
David Kelly
General Manager
1300-724-622
dkelly@mtafinance.com.au
GREEN STAMP PLUS
2008 Environmental Product & Services Directory
Now Available
To find the businesses that will service your environmental needs in your area, look no further that the MTA’s new Environmental Product & Services Directory. The 2008 Directory was released in June as part of the Green Stamp Plus program and is downloadable from the MTA’s Green Stamp Plus website: www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au.
The Directory features the contact details of businesses, as well as the areas they service for a range of companies that supply waste removal services or environmental products to the automotive industry across NSW and the ACT.
This easy to use Directory can help you find a supplier for something you’re looking for, or give you ideas of some of the new products out there.
The products listed include:
Air operated pumps
Biodegradable degreasers
Biodegradable vehicle cleaners
Brake wash down unit
Bunding
Carwash equipment – automatic and self-serve
Diaphragms
Drain protection/stormwater diversion
Drip trays & containment pallets
Emergency kits
Energy reduction
Engine coolant collection tray
Engine coolant recycler
Engine stand tray
Flap valves
Gross pollutant traps
High volume low pressure spray guns
Insulation
Lighting, light bulbs and light tubes
Lubricant
Office supplies/stationery
Oil drain pans
Oil filter crusher
Oil water separator
Oil water separator installation
Oil water separator pump
Phosphate-free vehicle cleaners
Pumps
Rags & cloths
Reverse osmosis units
Safety equipment
Sludge de-watering
Small parts cleaners (non-solvent/aqueous)
Special treatment
Spill kits
Spill management training
Spray gun cleaning stations
Spray gun washers
Thinner recycler systems
Wash bay service
Water saving devices
Water recycling systems
The waste removal services include:
Acidic waste
Batteries
Cardboard/paper
Caustic waste
Coolants
Drums
Electronics
Fuel-contaminated
Grease
Metal (scrap)
Oil (waste)
Oil filters
Oily water
Pain
Parts washer fluid
Petrol tanks
Plastic bumper bars
Rags
Separator waste oil
Soil-contaminated
Spill absorbents
So don’t let not knowing where to go stop you from implementing some new practices or equipment that will take your environmental performance to the next level, use the MTA’s Environmental Product & Services Directory to keep up-to-date and informed.
The MTA is running the Green Stamp Plus program in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as a joint initiative with the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. For more information please visit www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au or call MTA on 02 9213 4222.
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