Page 8 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2019

NEWS
8
PAINT&PANEL
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019
WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
SA PARLIAMENTARY
INQUIRY
WA CRASH CHASE TOWIES
A NEW PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY WILL
examine the motor vehicle insurance and repair industry in South Australia.
The inquiry will be undertaken by the Parliament of South Australia’s Economic and Finance Committee, chaired by Pre- siding Member, Sam Duluk MP, Member for Waite (pictured).
“With over 1.8 million registered vehi- cles and 1.2 million licence holders across the State, most South Australians are af- fected by the motor vehicle insurance in- dustry. The Committee will investigate the business practices of insurers and crash repairers and assess consumer choice for South Australians,” Duluk said.
“This inquiry will examine the effective- ness of the voluntary Motor Vehicle Insur- ance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct in regulating the relationship between re- pairers and insurers and in protecting the interests of South Australian consumers.
“Following recent changes to the South Australian compulsory third-par- ty insurance scheme and closure of the Motor Accident Commission, it is timely for the Committee to examine these im- portant issues. We
welcome contribu- tions from South Australians to this inquiry, which will inform the Com- mittee’s recom- mendations to the SA Government.”
WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S TOW TRUCK
industry is demanding regulation amid corruption, standover tactics and dan- gerous 'crash chase' driving that has forced some operators to quit according to a story on 9News.
The article refers to video and audio that 'exposes an industry out of control as competitors speed to crash scenes and ignore red lights and pedestrians'.
There is also evidence that suggests some tow truck companies have alleg- edly paid WA Police employees for ac- cident tip-offs and other information.
One police communications staffer has pleaded guilty to receiving $16,000 in corrupt payments from a tow truck
industry operator.
There is often a misconception that
the first towing company to a crash scene is entitled to the job, even if the driver has a preferred towing company.
“Our officers regularly turn up to crashes and people say they have been threatened and standover tactics used,” said Acting Superintendent Mike Sparkman.
Last year, a Parliamentary inquiry into the smash repair industry heard evidence of extortion in the towing industry.
“Notably, WA is one of just two states that does not regulate the tow truck indus- try,” the report said. “The evidence sug- gests that there is a case for regulation.”
McCARTHY PANEL WORKS JOINS CAR CRAFT
THE CAR CRAFT GROUP HAS WELCOMED
Andrea and Craig McCarthy from Mc- Carthy Panel Works, Mackay to Car Craft Queensland. Andrea and Craig are passionate about the industry, about their business and their team of professional technicians all I-CAR trained. Andrea’s passion for training has seen her become an integral part of the I-CAR board.
"We have seen a lot of changes in the industry, and not always for the better, however the Car Craft Group offers inde-
pendent repairers like us a group of like minded business owners who believe in a code of ethics, integrity, repair stand- ards and a quality closely aligned with our beliefs" Andrea said.
"The buying power the group offers is important, but it was the opportunity to be part of a group that is also focussed on driving the industry on training and producing quality product for our cus- tomers that was most appealing. Our name is above the door and our repu- tation is important." she said.