4X4
Moderator
Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB) 14
On Tuesday 10th February, Michael Coldham and Milton Oliver met with the Chief
of Staff (Cressida Wall) for the Minister for Roads Tim Pallis and Ross McArthur
and Barry Hendry from VicRoads to discuss the Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB)
14 and the implications on our members.
It was pointed out that FWDV represents 15,000 members of our Association, who
were the only group affected by this policy. It was also noted that the VSB14 has
no basis in science or fact and that it would stop our members from touring the
country, because it does not provide enough safety gap between ground surface
and vehicle in the area's of our country in which our members travel. It is believed
that we shall not be following the European model, as it has little or no relevance to
Australia.
The meeting gave opportunity for FWDV to place on record our deep concerns
about the VSB 14 becoming legislation on July 1st because there have been an
abject failure on the part of VicRoads to consult with the peak body on any level.
In fact, it was pointed out, there had been a refusal by Vicroads to consult with
FWDV despite direct requests by the Vice President of FWDV, in person on November
19th. This drew a sharp response from Ms Wall, who declared that no code
of practice would become law unless peak bodies and key stakeholders had been
“properly and genuinely” consulted. “The minister simply will not approve any draft
otherwise.”
There was much other discussion, as Ms Wall attempted to ascertain the realities
pertaining to the current code implementation. The outcome of the meeting was
that VicRoads will not put up any recommendation to the Minister to approve
VSB14 as legislation until:
a) the draft rests on hard scientific evidence where vehicle modifications are concerned
– in particular, bull bars, vehicle suspension changes and tyre sizes;
b) the AAAA have completed their tests and a review of the outcomes has been
discussed resolved and reached agreement;
c) VicRoads must properly consult with FWDV, AAAA and VACC and consider any
tests conducted by the FWD sector (AAAA, VACC and FWDV) before any draft can
go to the minister.
This is a fantastic outcome for our members and further proof that our relationship
with Government is vital to our future.
On Tuesday 10th February, Michael Coldham and Milton Oliver met with the Chief
of Staff (Cressida Wall) for the Minister for Roads Tim Pallis and Ross McArthur
and Barry Hendry from VicRoads to discuss the Vehicle Standards Bulletin (VSB)
14 and the implications on our members.
It was pointed out that FWDV represents 15,000 members of our Association, who
were the only group affected by this policy. It was also noted that the VSB14 has
no basis in science or fact and that it would stop our members from touring the
country, because it does not provide enough safety gap between ground surface
and vehicle in the area's of our country in which our members travel. It is believed
that we shall not be following the European model, as it has little or no relevance to
Australia.
The meeting gave opportunity for FWDV to place on record our deep concerns
about the VSB 14 becoming legislation on July 1st because there have been an
abject failure on the part of VicRoads to consult with the peak body on any level.
In fact, it was pointed out, there had been a refusal by Vicroads to consult with
FWDV despite direct requests by the Vice President of FWDV, in person on November
19th. This drew a sharp response from Ms Wall, who declared that no code
of practice would become law unless peak bodies and key stakeholders had been
“properly and genuinely” consulted. “The minister simply will not approve any draft
otherwise.”
There was much other discussion, as Ms Wall attempted to ascertain the realities
pertaining to the current code implementation. The outcome of the meeting was
that VicRoads will not put up any recommendation to the Minister to approve
VSB14 as legislation until:
a) the draft rests on hard scientific evidence where vehicle modifications are concerned
– in particular, bull bars, vehicle suspension changes and tyre sizes;
b) the AAAA have completed their tests and a review of the outcomes has been
discussed resolved and reached agreement;
c) VicRoads must properly consult with FWDV, AAAA and VACC and consider any
tests conducted by the FWD sector (AAAA, VACC and FWDV) before any draft can
go to the minister.
This is a fantastic outcome for our members and further proof that our relationship
with Government is vital to our future.
