Latest On The 15year Rule

[MattR]

15 Year Rule KILLED -- 7th February 2005

A Media Release today by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the HON. JIM LLOYD MP, spells the effective death of the 15 year rule as we know it. This is reproduced below for your information. In essence, from today 7th Feb 2005, only 1988 and older vehicles can be imported under the 15 year rule. This will be gradually increased to 30 years over time.

All other vehicles for road use must be imported under SEVS. Anyone who can prove a financial commitment to a 1989 or 1990 vehicle prior to today's announcement will be exempted from the changes and will still be entitled to an Import Approval once the vehicle is 15 years old.

The statement mentions "a level playing field", obviously to the Australian Govt. this involves sheltering our small and uneconomical local market from imports by grossly and unfairly restricting what is allowed in after conducting limited community / industry consultation. Not sure what happened to free trade or a fair go in this case. And this is after setting up SEVS as a means to control the import numbers of a restricted selection of vehicles, leading to less consumer choice and much higher prices.

If you have any comments about the changes please direct these to the contact points shown at the end of the statement.

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L11/05

Monday February 7 2005

MINISTER ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF CAR IMPORT LOOPHOLE

A plan to tighten Australia’s vehicle importation laws that will reinforce motor vehicle safety and emission standards was announced today by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd.

“The Government is closing a loophole that has enabled mainstream cars over 15 years of age to be imported in commercial quantities, and not subjected to safety and emission certification,” Mr Lloyd said.

“Importers of these cars were using an exemption that allows hobbyists and enthusiasts to import classic and historic cars. This exemption exists as these vehicles generally perform low mileages and are limited in numbers, and therefore represent a minimal risk to overall Australian vehicle and safety goals.

“Without such an exemption, the private importation of these types of older, collectible cars would become uneconomic.

“The closure of this loophole will only apply to those vehicles which do not fit in the classic and historic category, thus preserving the ability of hobbyists and enthusiasts to obtain older classic cars and historic vehicles.”

Mr Lloyd said a transitional arrangement would be provided for other vehicle importers who had current commitments to bring in vehicles under the old rule.

“The changeover is being introduced gradually, to allow importers and consumers time to react to the revised focus of the exemption,” Mr Lloyd said.

Under the new rule:

Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989 may be imported without restriction.

Vehicles built during 1989 (or later) will need to qualify under the Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) and will need to be certified as complying with Australian Design Rules (applicable at the date of manufacture). To qualify under RAWS, vehicle models must meet the specialist and enthusiast criteria.

The buffer period (between collectible vehicles and mainstream vehicles) will be gradually extended over time – up to a maximum of 30 years.

A transitional arrangement will also be established. Those importers who have already made a financial commitment before today on a vehicle manufactured in 1990 intended for future import, will be allowed to bring the vehicle into the country under the old rule up to the end of December 2005.

“This new rule will re‑instate a ‘level playing field’ within the industry. Vehicles supplied to the same market will be subject to the same regulatory environment, substantially reducing cost pressures on mainstream businesses,” Mr Lloyd said.

Media inquiries:

Mr Lloyd’s office: Fiona Telford 02 6277 7060

Technical inquiries:

Department of Transport and Regional Services: Justin Bryan 02 6274 7426

[Maxx]

so no 15 years old cheap car anymore, it might be a good thing.

hence those "16 year old" will not able to afford an import anymore.

except the purschase price, the new rule might actually strength up the price of import, which had been affect quite a bit by those 15 yr old lately.

[MADGT4]

So correct me if i'm wrong but the price of 32's should stay or go up?

I'm selling my 93 GTS4

Do you think i should get a better price for it?

[WhiteR33]

Pure gayness... The reason I wanted a skyline is because there wasn't any car that appeal to me from aus dealers. On the day I am about to auction for a fully sick '99 R34 GTT (with enough mods to tear the road up), which I could get for less than $30k on road. I was told that stupid SEVS thing was in place, and no one in Adelaide can(or want to?) do the compliancing.

So I was fcuked... and bought my R33 for $25k in Dec 2003

Now they changed again..... why don't they bring out better cars... instead of fcuking with import regulations...

[CheekyR32]

What happens to all the people who have a business with an income that is solely from importing with the 15 year rule.. i.e. John Verban?

[eXc]

The mods should really get a hold of these 5 odd 15 year change threads and lock them all bar 1 so all the content goes into one thread.....

[WhiteR33]

That's their business. The government bring this crap out because car dealers here can't make enough money. "Grand Turismo" had to shut down before I got my car. I think motorcity is on a death march now. Don't know about redline though... haven't been past there for ages.

Sigh....

[GFXman]

If it means the local manufacturers will make millions of dollars more, I guess the government is fine with small businesses going bust.

I swear the people in government have shit for brains.

The people who buy imports wouldn't spend that money on a new local car anyway. Example, someone who buys a 15k GTR... what can they get new for that.. a Hyundai Getz?

No way a person who wants a GTR will buy a Getz.

Their only other option would be a WRX/Monaro/350z etc... sorry, but not everyone has 40k+ to spend on a performance car.

Their whole reason for doing this is because of competition and also to get older environment unfriendly cars off the road... So I guess what they're saying is they'd rather people buy 20 year old V8 commodores as opposed to more efficient 2L 4cylinders from Japan which not only are cleaner, but are better quality.

Sigh... And do you think there's anything we can do about it... as if

And then they mention something about a 30 year rule in the future... wtf is up with that?!?!

[MattR]

at this stage they are going to let in pre 1988 car, which means no gtrs and things like that, built after 1989 will be alowed in unless you get the full compliance.

[MattR]

i was looking at buying this car with the 15year rule, and it is still alowed as its not a performance car

[Freebaggin]

What happens to all the people who have a business with an income that is solely from importing with the 15 year rule.. i.e. John Verban?

Stiff shit.....shouldn't have based his business on flimsy laws.