News 
 Opinion 
 Letters to the Editor 
 General 
 Motorcycle levy used only for bikers 

Motorcycle levy used only for bikers

2/07/2008 9:46:00 AM
I WRITE in response to a recent article "Rally cry to rev up motorcycle protest" (The Advertiser, June 26) and some comments made by protest ride organiser Warren West.

I am concerned that some of the assertions made by Mr West will mislead motorcyclists and the public about how the motorcycle safety levy is being used.

The $56 motorcycle safety levy was introduced in 2002 to directly fund initiatives to improve motorcycle safety such as: treatment of blackspots and stretches of road particularly dangerous for motorcyclists; training and licensing programs; and in-depth crash research and analysis.

All funds collected by the safety levy are used only for motorcycle safety initiatives.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists remain significantly over-represented in road trauma statistics.

Funding decisions are endorsed by the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council, which consists of representatives from motorcycle rider groups, the motorcycle industry and Government bodies such as VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission.

It is entirely appropriate for motorcyclists to be helping to fund and establish solutions to their over-representation in road trauma statistics.

PHILIP REED,

chief community officer,

Transport Accident Commission

Print
Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size

Comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
I reserve the right of reply to Mr Reed. This will be conducted, in due course. Regards. Wazz West.
Posted by Motorcycle Levy on 2/07/2008 2:20:44 PM
In response to TAC chief community officer Philip Reed; Your response reads like many others from those of your organisation/ilk, seemingly the standard replete with official figures and statistics. Not much else going on there. Reading further afield rewards the curious with a wealth of other reasons to protest this coming Saturday - Front Identification Plates and/or Big Brother Tagging, Wire Rope Barriers, Highway Tolls et al. Underneath one banner we will be uniting to fight what is an apparent lack of transparency between TAC, VMAC, MRA(A) and affiliated bodies. Independent organisations refute "official" statistics, which appear to be often biased in their presentation in order to dramatise reality. SPEED KILLS... anyone? Lack of transparency and accountability are worse! Too many Chiefs and/or Indians with vested interests and precious public servancies to keep while they have a Bex and a lie down after a hard day's work.
Posted by Another Rider on 2/07/2008 2:49:03 PM
Mr Reed fails to put the other side of the story... the TAC didn't need an extra tax on motorcyclists to improve motorcycle safety... as any safety initiative saves more money than it costs... and the TAC gets the greatest benefit from any such savings. The programs initiated under the scheme have been estimated as having a cost benefit of between 1 and 16 times. Why has none of this saving been returned to motorcyclists in the form of a reduction in the tax? The TAC doesn't need motorcycle money to fund such schemes... it's adequately funded with large reserves... which keep getting larger. Why not reward motorcyclists by reducing rates? :-) MRAA Road Safety & Research Officer
Posted by Michael on 3/07/2008 12:34:46 AM
Philip ought speak to his TAC rep on VMAC to determine the history of the levy. It was released by the government by stealth (pre-budget announcement) so there was no opportunity for public comment. VMAC is on the record as opposing the levy as it is a discriminatory tax on one section of the road user community. Motorcyclists often own cars or other vehicles, so are paying multiple TAC contributions anyway. They can only operate one vehicle at a time. VMAC had the levy lifted off multiple registrations and applied to motorcycle license holders only. TAC need to spend more on positive motorcycle road safety campaigns, especially continuous education of other road users who need to share the road responsibly with motorcyclists. Apply a TAC Safety Levy to all other road users and equity would be restored. That may not be politically palatable, so targeting a minority group is much easier.
Posted by Peter on 3/07/2008 11:49:30 AM

Post A Comment


Screen name  *
Email address  *
Remember me?
Comment  *
We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.

  Tech colleges to unite
  Kristi's release blocked
  Sex tryst mum free
  Girl who lost her fingers weeps
  BMX brawl
  Centre opens doors
  Flashp;oint

Price of keeping up appearances

4/10/2008 | I’VE been told, on more than one occasion, that I’m high maintenance.
  Fat? Don’t makea meal of it . . .
  It's a man-maid stranger danger
PHOTO SALES
 
Fun Run
 
GAME ON
 
Best Employment
 
Bendigo Access Employment
 
fox personnel
 
REGIONAL ONE
 
Ron Poyser
 SEND...
Email a FriendEmail a friend
 SAVE...
FavouritesFavourites
Del.icio.usDel.icio.us
 SHARE...
FacebookFacebook
DiggDigg
StumbleUponStumbleUpon
MySpaceMySpace
RedditReddit
NewsvineNewsvine
LinkedInLinkedIn
KwoffKwoff