Monday July 1 saw the introduction of the a levy on every vehicle that comes into the country, new and used, at first registration. Normally we bemoan additional compliance costs, but this one is to be applauded.
The levy, for Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGGs) in air conditioning systems of imported vehicles, totals $4.06 for light passenger and goods vehicles (less than 3500kg GVM), $5.41 for heavy goods vehicles, $5.41 for buses 5000kg GVM and below, and $27.04 for buses 5001kg and above.
Relatively small potatoes, and charged at a point where it does not neccessarily fall on the importer or trader, this is a win.
Especially when early plans for SGG levies included time-consuming and nonsensical systems requiring amounts imported to be tallied, funds held for up to a year, and then carbon credits to be purchased.
The new system came from the work of combined industry organisations: the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, Motor Industry Association and Motor Trade Association. These groups worked together, fronted together and won together.
Despite some of the vitriol in the media between the new and used vehicle lobbies, the norm is genuine quality work between the groups. With the retirement of Perry Kerr, I have met with new MIA boss David Crawford, and I am sure the synergies will continue.
