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FROM THE DEPUTY'S DESK 
Get Rid of the Jam Factory
Have you ever thought how hard it would have been in days gone by when it came to communication.
When the cave man was around he couldn't read or write and anthropologists tell us that he didn't have a language, how did he communicate? History would have it that a swift crack over the skull got his message across.
Later man found fire and with it came smoke signals but it was only effective during the day, you couldn't see smoke at night and your enemies of course could see your fire, but still the message got through.
Over the centuries man has used tom-tom drums which worked well until the enemy learned the code and relay runners until man developed the bow and arrow and later the gun, but all the while the message got through.
Whilst man was bashing and cracking and burning and belting the message was always getting though and you can be sure it was the whole message.
Just over a hundred years ago a guy call Bell rang everyone's chimes with the invention of the telephone, from here on in the art of communication seems to have gone down hill.
Now we have email and text messages, you know what we don't have, effective communication.
We don't take the time to speak with each other any more, we email, text, blueberry, blackberry each other all day, so much so, at times you may think we work in a jam factory. Next time you need to get an effective message across think about talking with the person concerned.
It may just get your message across a lot simpler and quicker instead of the ongoing please clarify syndrome we all seem to suffer from.
We can't light fires because we all need to be environmentally friendly, we don't run any more because of OH&S issues, and we can't crack someone over the head as that is the original sexting which of course is a big no no, so why not take the time to talk.
RIDE HEIGHTS
Many of you may have received, read about or heard of changes to NSW regulations on the height of vehicles whether it be the raising or lowering.
The laws and registration requirements for all vehicles have been in place for a long time and in fact nothing really has changed.
The requirements for ride heights and overall vehicle heights are set in the Federal legislation, all NSW decided to do was to step up to the mark.
NSW were a little premature in their push to bring vehicles into line and did not clearly explain what would be required, the perception that all vehicles would require an engineering certificate was understandable, the devil was in the detail.
After representation from 4x4 groups, tyre dealers and interested public bodies the NSW Government agreed to take part in further consultation, as a result the push to enforce legislation did not go ahead.
The change in approach is seen as a positive step and a sign that at least one legislature will listen to industry and end users.
There is no doubt the changes were designed to remove a certain rat bag element and in the end will no doubt achieve the desired outcome.
For the time being things will progress and discussions will continue but all members should be aware that the legislation exists Australia wide and it can and will be enforced as required.
If and when modifications to any law or ruling are advised we will ensure to bring you all up to date very quickly.
Although the main outcry centred round the raising of vehicles the NSW notice did in fact relate to the lowering of vehicles also.
Many manufacturers no longer accept the adjustment of ride heights up or down as being acceptable for their vehicles, members are encouraged to check with authorities and manufacturers before engaging in suspension modifications.
TOOLS FOR YOUR TRADE INITIATIVE
As a result of the new 2009-10 Federal Budget, the Tools For Your Trade Initiative has ceased from 12 May 2009. A new Tools For Your Trade initiative will commence from 1 January 2010. Eligible Australian Apprentices commencing or recommencing from 13 May 2009 may be eligible for the new Tools For Your Trade Initiative, and your Australian Apprenticeships Centres will be able to provide advice about potential eligibility for the new Tools For Your Trade payment closer to the commencement date of 1 January 2010.
The new Tools For Your Trade payment initiative combines and extends three existing separate support initiatives (the Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative, Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up and the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship) into one new payment totalling $3800 under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. As a result of the new Tools For Your Trade payment, commencing on 1 January 2010, Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up and Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship initiatives will cease for new commencements as of 31 December 2009.
The new Tools For Your Trade payment initiative will be paid directly to apprentices and trainees in five tax exempt cash payments over the life of their Australian Apprenticeship, to help meet the costs of tools, books, protective clothing and fees. This will be a significant change as under the previous initiative, the money was paid to the employer to purchase the tools, and the tools remain to be the employer's property until the 9 month period when ownership is transferred to the apprentice.
For further information, members can contact their Australian Apprenticeship Centre.
RPL PROGRESS
As many of you will recall we wrote in the July E-News about the opportunity for mature aged workers in our industry to undergo a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
RPL gives employees the opportunity to have years of experience recognised and often leads to full certification in their chosen profession. Under the MTA scheme we now have 12 employees from various businesses around the ACT who have enrolled for the pilot program.
It is pleasing to see that our industry has taken such an interest in their staff, many other industry groups would struggle to get such support and it is a credit to the ACT automotive industry that show such confidence in their staff and the process.
The results of this program won't be known for a number of months, but we are confident that there will be 12 employees with a new found enthusiasm for their work and will rightly be able to hand their shingle over any doorway.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS INDUSTRY BRIEFING
MTA BRIEFING ON NEW EMPLOYMENT LAWS
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2009
Venue: Comfort Inn Airport - 57-73 Yass Road Queanbeyan
Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Registration Form
Business Name:_______________________________________________
1st attendee name: _____________________________________________
2nd attendee name: _____________________________________________
Contact Phone No: ____________________________________________
Email address: ________________________________________________
Please fax back this form to: 6241 2631
Tea, Coffee and biscuits will be provided on arrival, so MTA recommends attendees arrive approx 15 minutes prior to commencement of the briefing.
ACT WORKERS COMPENSATION UPDATE
Changes to the law
Many of you may well have heard about the recent changes to the ACT Workers Compensation law but it will service as a timely reminder to advise you of the basic changes and the potential impact to your business.
There is no doubt that your business needs to have in place a current workers compensation policy and it should go without saying that you will all understand the potential ramifications for not having one in place.
Now maybe is a good time to ensure you are covered given the recent changes to the las in the ACT. The ACT legislative Assembly recently approved changes to ACT Workers Compensation law to streamline the administration of claims for injured workers whose employers have failed to comply with their legal obligations. Put simply, the change in legislation will allow 'The Default Insurance Fund' to settle a claim for an injured worker without further consultation with the employer. The change is designed to speed up the process and settle claims made against employers who have no insurance or insurers who cannot meet their liability.
Members should be aware that this does not negate their legal responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate insurance in place.
HBA OFFER TO MEMBERS
JOIN now and have immediate access to offers that will save time, money and protect your health while providing you peace of mind.
Motor Trades Association and HBA have partnered to provide you with a health insurance offering. As an employee of Motor Trades Association you have access to:
• 4% DISCOUNT! All new and existing customers who join the corporate plan will receive a 4% discount on their health insurance premiums.
• TAILORED CORPORATE PACKAGES A suite of HBA corporate packages tailored exclusively for our corporate clients
• SAVE MONEY HBA’s gap cover really works! If you go to hospital, and your doctor chooses to use Ezyclaim, you’ll have no or a known out-of-pocket cost. In fact, last year, 89% of all medical claims
processed via our Ezyclaim system were fully covered!!
• SINGLE ROOM! You’ll receive a single room at our extensive network of Members First hospitals, and if there’s no single room available, you’ll get $50 a day from the hospital for every day you’re not in one.
• GAP FREE DENTAL FOR KIDS! We will cover the cost of your kids’ dental until they’re 25! Over 250 services at Members First dentists (excluding orthodontics) are free, up to annual maximums.
• SAVE TIME! Download the new HBA iphone application to find your nearest HBA branches, healthcare providers on the HBA Members First Network and hospitals while you’re on the move.
It’s easy to join or make the switch to HBA
• Contact our dedicated corporate hotline on 1800 649 406
• To have one of our Corporate Sales Specialists contact you, please complete the form below and fax back
Attn – Albina Velic Fax (07 3239 4831)
Yes! I would like to find out more about the Motor Trades Association corporate health plan.
Name:
Daytime Phone Number:
Preferred time:
Yes! I am already a HBA member. Please register my membership so I can join the special Motor Trades Association corporate health plan. Group number - 206437
Name:
Membership number: Signature
DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A FREE ENGINE IMMOBILISER? 
Car theft is not only inconvenient, it is also costly
The ACT Government is currently subsidising the cost of car engine immobilisers to ACT residents who own a pre 2001 vehicle.
People with a health care card or pension card may qualify for a full subsidy for the installation of an engine immobiliser in their vehicle. Even if you do not hold these cards, you may still qualify for a subsidy of $100 towards the cost.
An immobiliser protects your car by temporarily interrupting the power supply to the fuel pump, the starter motor, and/or the ignition. Without power to these systems, your vehicle cannot start.
The immobiliser is fitted by an authorised installer and is a short process, which will generally take less than a day. These installers are located throughout Canberra.
To find out more, please call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. Do it today
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