Scheme to encourage motorists to have immobilisers installed

1/3/97

The State Government's $18 million motor vehicle immobiliser scheme will result in Western Australia becoming the national leader in the production and installation of technology aimed at preventing car theft.

Police Minister John Day said the vehicle immobiliser industry in WA had this week agreed to new standards - which would be among the highest in Australia - for the production and installation of effective vehicle anti-theft devices.

"Through the subsidy scheme we want to ensure WA motorists get immobilisers which meet the highest possible standards of quality, reliability, service and price," Mr Day said.

Under the State Government's subsidy scheme - the first of its kind in Australia - motorists will receive a $30 subsidy if they have an immobiliser installed in their private family car.

To claim the rebate, the immobiliser must meet the new industry standards and be fitted by an installer who has been authorised by the Insurance Council of Australia and vetted by the WA Police Service.

"The agreement on these new standards is a first for the vehicle immobiliser industry in WA, and is set to deliver a standard of protection for motorists which will be given added support by the Government's $30 subsidy," Mr Day said.

The Minister said the $18 million subsidy scheme was a joint initiative between the Government, the Insurance Council of Australia and the WA Police Service and planned to assist more than 600,000 WA motorists over the next three years.

"I am delighted at the positive and co-operative way in which the insurance and security industries in WA have rallied behind this very important crime prevention initiative," Mr Day said.

"Both the Insurance Council and the Police Service are confident that this initiative will result in a strong public response with the potential to significantly cut the number of cars stolen in WA each year."

Mr Day said over the next few weeks the RAC would carry out intensive testing on more than 20 different brands of immobilisers to ensure they met the new standards, or be modified accordingly.

Tthe Government would begin paying the $30 subsidy from March 1, but had been told by the industry that it could take up until the end of March or early April before testing was completed and stocks were delivered.

"By spending less than $100 and half an hour in a workshop, WA motorists will be helping to protect a very valuable asset and helping to cut a significant crime problem," the Minister said.

Group Manager (WA and NT) for the Insurance Council of Australia Daryl Cameron said he hoped as many WA motorists as possible would take advantage of the Government's subsidy offer.

"Installers have told us they expect a big demand and car owners will have to make advanced appointments just as they do when they book in for an oil change," he said.

Mr Cameron said details about approved immobilisers and installers, who had been authorised under the program by the Police Service and the Insurance Council of Australia, would be published as soon as possible.

Initially about 30 companies operating 56 sites would be authorised to install immobilisers, but ultimately up to 50 companies and more than 100 sites were likely to participate in the program.

Media contact: Mark Thompson on 322 2311