BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming has accused the state government of “killing off” Queensland’s four-wheel-drive industry, as Capalaba MP Don Brown calls for a truce to fix the lift limit problem he says was brought in by the LNP.
Four-wheel-drives are often fitted with larger wheels and given suspension lifts to boost ground clearance for off-road driving.
Vehicle lifts by 75mm are considered as standard across Australia.
However, car modifiers say they have only just become aware of Queensland’s strict codes which rule out lifts past 50mm for 4WDs with Electronic Stability Control unless certification is sought.
Approvals for the higher lifts are understood to be expensive and hard to obtain.
The problem came to light earlier this month after modified 4WDs were targeted by police as part of Operation Lift at the Gold Coast.
More than 60 4WDs were pulled over for checks, with compliance notices issued to owners of defective vehicles, which included lifted cars.
Mr Laming labelled the operation as revenue raising by state government.
“Innocent, responsible 4WD drive families are being made to feel like criminals, pulled over and issued with fines of hundreds of dollars,” he said.
Capalaba MP Don Brown said he wanted to put political differences aside with Mr Laming to bring about consistent 4WD modification laws, saying lift rules were last changed by the Newman LNP government after 4WD roll-over fatalities at Fraser Island.
“We have not changed the laws when it has come to 4WDs but what the Gold Coast police operation Lift has highlighted is the inconsistencies of Queensland’s current laws with other states…,” he said.
More than 65,000 people have signed a petition for lift limits to be increased across Australia.
