The delay in introducing the new Federal Government Bill threatens numerous Pakenham RV dealers and the security of thousands of motorists, as per the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA).
The Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 (RVSA) is expected to be introduced in Federal Congress this week, extending the deadline for industries to comply with the legislation from July 1, 2022, until July 1, 2023.
The extension has put the brakes on a stronger framework and increased the likelihood of penalties that could happen from introducing the RVSA.
CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said the new Bill would allow various low-quality, under-priced trailers to take over the Australian market over the next year.
“There’s currently no oversight for the caravanning industry, and we’ve been pushing to have the same system as cars and trucks,“ Lamont said.
Lamont said that the industry is “clearly frustrated” at the extension of the transitional provisions for potentially another year despite the assurances from both sides of the government that July 1, 2022 will be the implementation date.
“The pathway to registering a new vehicle (or low ATM trailer) on an Australian road should have some rigor attached to it, and genuine businesses in the caravanning industry have proactively worked to be ready in time for 1 July 2022 to meet the proposed requirements under a type approval system.“
Lamont said international markets were taking advantage of the popularity of caravanning post-Covid-19, competing with Pakenham dealers. “Tens of thousands” of products from China are coming over the next 12 months, and they have no idea of the regulations and safety standards in manufacturing them.
“Pakenham’s Goldstream and Avan dealers have invested a lot of time and money to meet the deadline, and it’s another 12 months they have to compete with a cheaper and inferior products and one less sale.“
Lamont is urging the Federal Government to stick to the existing timetable of the RVSA.
“The clock is ticking, and despite all of the distractions and deadlines of this Federal Parliamentary week, this should not stop the government from identifying a more practical and creative solution for the caravanning and camping industry than a simple and lazy blanket extension to legislation so they can sort further stuff out later on.“
This article originally appeared on Star News Group.
It’s crucial for RV dealers and motorists affected by the delayed Federal Government Bill to keep up with the changes. Let’s work together to find new ways to comply and support each other in this shifting market. We’ve got this!