ATV rollover battle: Federal Coalition tried to roll ACCC mandatory fitting of OPDs

THE Federal Government lobbied Australia’s competition watchdog to abandon a recommendation for the mandatory fitting of rollover-protection devices to ATVs, key safety industry sources say.

In action: Industry sources claim the Coalition tried to pressure Australia’s consumer watchdog to abandon a call to fit quadbikes with rollover protection devices. Picture: Supplied

THE Federal Government lobbied Australia’s competition watchdog to abandon a recommendation for the mandatory fitting of rollover-protection devices to ATVs, key safety industry sources say.

“The request was made to (the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) to vary the recommendation,” a key industry source said. “It came from (Deputy Prime Minister Michael) McCormack’s office.”

Mr McCormack’s office stated he had “not made representations on this matter to the ACCC” — but then told The Weekly Times: “The Deputy PM has consulted with Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert on the issue of quad bike safety and the recent ACCC Report.”

The industry sources said they were told Mr McCormack’s approach was made through Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert’s office, after he received the ACCC’s final investigation into a new safety standard for quad bikes in February. The ACCC resisted the pressure, and Mr Robert eventually released the report on April 6, but refused to adopt the consumer watchdog’s recommendations, referring the matter to another round of public consultation, which is not due to be completed until June 10.

The move came despite the ACCC spending almost 18 months investigating the issue, engaging in extensive industry consultation and receiving 119 submissions.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has been actively campaigning against the fitting of rollover protection devices, and its leading members Honda and Yamaha have threatened to withdraw from the Australian market if they become mandatory.

Both manufacturers have launched a campaign to warn motorcycle and agricultural machinery dealers of their withdrawal’s impact and urging them to lodge submissions opposing OPDs to the latest round of public consultations.