TRANSPORT Minister Mark Bailey has accused Bowman MP Andrew Laming of spreading misinformation about 4WD modifcation rules, saying Mr Laming was attacking laws introduced by the Newman LNP government.
Mr Bailey told Queensland Parliament today that rules for lifting 4WDs were complex, with Mr Laming purposefully causing confusion for political ends.
“I note the federal member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, has sadly played his part in spreading misinformation to save his seat in the looming federal election,” Mr Bailey said.
“Mr Laming attacked current laws which were introduced under the Queensland LNP when they were in power in 2012, yet somehow blamed it on this government.”
The spray came after Mr Laming had earlier accused the state government of killing off Queensland’s 4WD industry through enforcement of lift heights.
Mr Laming said thousands of 4WDs, fitted with larger wheels and boosted suspension for off-track adventures, were illegal in Queensland under anti-hooning laws.
“Queensland Labor has just decided to smash the 4x4 community,” Mr Laming said. “No other states are following and typically, there’s been no consultation.
“While suspensions can go up to 50mm, adding larger tyres will get you pinged. That has never happened before.
“This is an outrageous move with no other apparent purpose but to raise revenue.”
About 60 4WDs were pulled over by police at the Gold Coast earlier this month in Operation Lift, with infringement notices to defective vehicles, including lifted 4WDs.
The crackdown had angered Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association executive director Stuart Charity, who said innocent drivers had been ambushed.
“We understand that from time to time the government will seek to get the extreme 4WD modifications off the road and we support that, but this is over-reach on a massive scale,” Mr Charity said.
Mr Charity said advice provided by TMR website’s that 75mm lifts did not require additional certification had been changed without consultation and applied retrospectively.
Mr Bailey told Parliament he wanted to clear up the misinformation.
“In late 2017, in response to questions from industry, TMR updated published guidance material on how to interpret the requirements specified under the Queensland code,” Mr Bailey said.
“These updates did not change anything whatsoever. They clarified how the Queensland codes should be interpreted only.”
Mr Bailey said the Transport Department was reviewing the Code of Practice for modified vehicles, with decisions expected to be made next month.
“Consultation with four-wheel drive groups is underway on whether the current maximum lift of 50mm without certification for ESC vehicles should be the same as the 75mm maximum for non-ESC vehicles,” he said.
Mr Laming said he had challenged Mr Bailey to a debate about lift rules at Cleveland’s Caravan, Camping, Boating and 4x4 Expo this weekend.
Vehicle lifts up to 75mm are considered standard across Australia.
However, Redlands 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.