Earlier this week the AADA made a submission in response to the Queensland Government’s Review of the Electrical Safety Act.
In 2020, Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace initiated a Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002, led by Mr Dick Williams, with the Review Report delivered in late 2021.
One of the key recommendations put forward in the Report was that certain work on electric vehicles (EVs) should be regulated under the Act, and this work should be restricted to be performed by licensed electricians.
The AADA and other industry groups are wholeheartedly opposed to this recommendation and are strongly urging the Queensland Government to abandon this proposal.
The AADA’s submission highlighted the potential unintended consequences of introducing regulations to limit repair and service work on EVs to licensed electrical workers, such as
making it more costly and time prohibitive to have EVs serviced and repaired, hinder adoption of EVs by the Queensland community and present safety risks for consumers.
The submission also highlighted that throughout much technological change and the introduction of several different drivetrains over the years, Dealers have continued to safely provide services on vehicles to the community through continuous training of automotive technicians.
The AADA submitted that it would be an unnecessary and burdensome overregulation of an industry that has been safely and effectively managing the repair and service of EVs for years.
The AADA also wrote to the Minister, stating the industry’s opposition to the recommendations, providing a copy of the submission and offering to engage further with the Government on the Review recommendations.
You can view the AADA’s submission here.