29 November 2010
Media Statement
 

Labour will review car data charges

Mounting opposition to the government’s proposed charges for online vehicle registration data, which is currently provided free, requires the Minister of Transport to sit up and take notice says Labour's Transport Safety spokesperson Darien Fenton.

“More than 12,000 people have signed an on-line petition and leading consumer and business groups are joining forces to oppose the government charges for basic vehicle registration data,” said Darien Fenton.

“It’s time the government started listening to people’s concerns, but all we have had from Steven Joyce is silence.”

Darien Fenton said her biggest concern is that low and middle income families will skip checking on information to ensure the car they are planning to buy is safe and legal.

“In the current environment of increases to costs of living and stagnating incomes, it is critical that families who are spending hard-earned cash on a vehicle can check that the car they are planning to buy won’t end up costing them more because of a dodgy odometer, phony warrants and registration or because it has been stolen.

“Most importantly, they need to know the car’s safety history, so they don’t put themselves, their families and other road users at risk by buying an unsafe vehicle.

“Labour will review this short-sighted policy upon taking office, but in the meantime, Steven Joyce needs to front up,” Darien Fenton said.

 
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