1 November 2020 Official Magazine of the Motor Trade Association SA/NT LESSONS FROM COVID-19 ELECTION WRAP NEW MTA MEMBER MTA SA/NT VISIT TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY 2 You’re fiercely independent. Joining us will help you stay that way. We understand that being independent is important to you, just as it is for our Members. We also understand the pressures of running an independent operation. This knowledge helps us provide the tools and support that keep our more than 20,000 Members’ businesses strong. It could help keep yours strong, too. TM Join Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative [email protected] | capricorn.coop BACK TO CONTENTS 3 MOTOR TRADE MAGAZINE: NT CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2020 MTA AGM AND IAC MEETINGS Skip to article The MTA conducted its first online AGM and held its inaugural Industry Advisory Council meeting. Skip to article LESSONS FROM COVID-19 NORTHERN TERRITORY ELECTION WRAP 2020 After a long vote count and despite a strong swing against the incumbent government, Labor has been re-elected to run the Northern Territory Government for the next four years. Skip to article Increased flexibility has been a 04 Chairman’s Report 14 On the Road hallmark of evolving workplace 05 CEO’s Message 16 Lessons From COVID-19 practices brought about by COVID-19. 06 Northern Territory Election 18 CDU Green Light the Highlight Wrap 2020 of a Successful NT Visit CDU GREEN LIGHT THE HIGHLIGHT OF A 07 Franchising Agreement Reform 20 Member Businesses SUCCESSFUL NT VISIT - Senate Inquiry Update and Meetings 08 MTA Annual General Meeting, 22 NT Zone Meetings the Board and 24 Business Partners Index Industry Advisory Council Inaugural Meeting 25 MTA WR Training Now Available Online 09 IAC Members by Zone and Chair 26 Member Classifieds Skip to article 10 New Member Profile 27 Publishing Information Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) 12 Long Standing Member Profile decision to continue automotive training was announced. mtasant.com.au 4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT CHAIRMAN’S REPORT MTA CHAIRMAN, FRANK AGOSTINO MTA AGM IN TIMES each division, highlighting how activity across Australia, we hope to see OF COVID-19 within one division may affect the improvements in some pain areas with broader automotive industry. availability of new and used vehicles In these times of COVID-19 and parts. Given the state of the wider restrictions, many changes have There was a focus within the IAC on world, this may still prove to be an occurred across businesses, including Vehicle Inspections for both light issue for some. There will be some within the MTA. This year’s MTA AGM and heavy vehicles. The healthy businesses returning to busy times was held via a virtual meeting (with discussion resulted in the formation the Board and MTA staff live from the of a subcommittee of IAC members to and others still being significantly MTA Board Room). Unfortunately, due further the MTA’s position and explore impacted by the effects of COVID-19. to changes related to COVID-19 the these discussions with government at The COVID-19 portal is still available election process could not be finalised a national level. on the MTA website and continues to and declared, so the Board will As a special guest, the Premier of be updated, when new information continue as a transitional Board for South Australia joined the IAC meeting is received. now, with an additional casual Board online and provided information member, Tom Skothos, who was on the challenges in responding to nominated for the vacant position. COVID-19 and a way forward; namely “...due to changes Thank you to all Board members and the automotive industry’s part in the those who attended or provided your road to the COVID-19 recovery. The related to COVID-19 proxy votes. Premier also took questions from the the election INAUGURAL INDUSTRY floor including queries on government ADVISORY COUNCIL assistance and border restriction measures. process could not Likewise, the Industry Advisory The meeting and special guest were Council (IAC) successfully met online be finalised and well received and proved to be a with a few members in person for productive meeting with effective their inaugural meeting. The IAC declared, so the actions moving forward. Once again, I consists of South Australian and would like to thank all members of the Northern Territory Divisional Chairs Board will continue IAC for your time and dedication to the and Deputy Chairs and Zone Chairs. betterment of the automotive industry. From this first meeting, the IAC has as a transitional already proved the value in breaking With Victoria’s situation improving down the individual barriers between and borders gradually opening Board for now...” mtasant.com.au BACK TO CONTENTS 5 CEO’S MESSAGE CEO’S MESSAGE MTA CEO, PAUL UNERKOV Once again an eventful three months increase in penalties, requirement of how evidence based information as we rolled into the second half of an for further disclosure and enhanced produces stronger recommendations unprecedented year. With the first set dispute resolution mechanisms for change. of JobKeeper changes now in effect, were a welcome response to the The State Parliament decision to I wanted to remind all MTA members Parliamentary Joint Committee’s have petrol retailers report their fuel that we do provide information and Fairness in Franchising Report. support that may help you navigate pricing for reporting and monitoring For collision repairers, the Economic this change. Thankfully, the cases and allowing this information to be and Finance Committee tabled its in Victoria are reducing, which we accessible to mobile app developers report on the Inquiry into the Motor hope will release some of the much- will soon be in effect. Of the two Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry needed supplies, and borders are models that had been considered, in SA over a collection of submissions, gradually opening, enabling free the MTA is glad that the Parliament hearings and evidence collected movement and less red tape. The SA settled on the Queensland real-time over the past year. There were 11 Government has also extended their model. Based on learnings from recommendations aimed at increasing payroll and land tax COVID-19 relief. interstate, this appears to be the more transparency, consumer choice and The MTA continues to advocate for effectiveness of the Code of Conduct business friendly model. the automotive industry through this across the motor vehicle insurance Prior to the Northern Territory Election pandemic. and repair industry, while maintaining the MTA presented our Election After meeting with Charles Darwin consumer safety by ensuring that all Charter, Automotive in the Territory, to University (CDU) and the Northern motor vehicles repaired as part of all candidates. With the NT Election Territory at the beginning of insurance claims are restored to their complete and the economy starting pre-accident condition. After years September, I am delighted that to regroup after impacts of the since meeting with Professor David of advocacy towards change, this is pandemic we are continuing forwards Young, College Dean of CDU, he has a great achievement in the history of advocating and fighting to resolve skill confirmed the continuation of their the inquiries for the industry. We want shortages and training, modernisation automotive training courses. This to maintain the momentum and are of the Consumer Affairs and Fair is welcome news and a fantastic advocating to all sides of government Trading (Motor Vehicle Dealers) outcome for the automotive industry. to accept the recommendations to mandate the Code of Conduct along Regulations 1992, the fight against We continue to advocate for the with a binding mediation process and unlicensed vehicle sellers and more. inclusion of more automotive appropriate financial penalties for franchises into the Franchising As an MTA member, if you are breaches. Code and for improved recognition experiencing an issue that is of goodwill, compensation, tenure Thank you to all the Body Repair impacting your business or industry, and warranty, following Holden’s division members who took the time please remember to contact us on withdrawal from Australia. However, it to provide submissions and evidence 8291 2000 or email mta@mtasant. was pleasing to see the government’s to the Inquiry. This is just one example com.au . We are stronger together. BACK TO CONTENTS mtasant.com.au 6 ADVOCACY NORTHERN TERRITORY ELECTION WRAP 2020 After a long vote count and despite a strong swing against the broad interests of good government in the Northern the incumbent government, Labor has been re-elected to Territory. run the Northern Territory Government for the next four Before the election, the MTA presented its Election Charter: years, with Chief Minister Michael Gunner continuing in his role and taking on a new responsibility as Treasurer. Automotive in the Territory to all candidates to let them know what they can do to support, protect and grow the Notably, ministerial portfolios and government automotive industry. departments have been restructured, and of particular relevance to our industry will be: “No matter your political • Hon Selena Uibo MLA as Attorney-General • Hon Paul Kirby MLA as Minister for Small Business views, a strong opposition and Minister for Jobs and Training is crucial to holding the • Hon Nicole Manison MLA as Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services; and Government to account...” • Hon Eva Lawler MLA as Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. As the NT moves beyond the initial impacts of COVID-19 it will be the MTA’s job to continue to engage will the NT The election has also seen a number of seats change Government in the interests of our members and the hands to the Country Liberal Party which has come back from only holding two seats prior to the election.