Media release

On 26 October 2011 the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (“AAFRB”) was successful in the Supreme Court of Victoria in proceedings commenced by Grazaria Pty Ltd, the owner of the business name South East LPG Conversions (“South East LPG”).

The claim related to a decision taken by AAFRB in December 2010 to reject an application by South East LPG for AAFRB business registration to undertake LPG conversions. That application was made shortly after AAFRB cancelled the registration of a business of the same name and trading from the same premises, at 1/12 Laser Drive, Rowville.

South East LPG’s proceedings attacked AAFRB’s decision, as well as the legality of the registration scheme operated by AAFRB.

In his judgment, Justice Osborn dismissed the proceedings in their entirety and ordered that South East LPG pay the AAFRB’s costs of the proceedings.

Justice Osborn rejected all of the claims brought by South East LPG. Justice Osborn held that

• the scheme by which the AAFRB registers businesses and accredits individuals to undertake LPG conversions is validly established under AAFRB’s Constitution, it Rules and relevant legislation; and

• the decision of the AAFRB to reject South East LPG’s application for registration was valid.

Since 1993, the AAFRB has been working to promote the automotive alternative fuels industry in Victoria, and to ensure that LPG, LNG and CNG conversions and repairs in Victoria are carried out safely and in compliance with relevant Australian standards.

The decision is an endorsement of the registration and accreditation schemes operated by AAFRB, and will help ensure that it continues to perform its important role of promoting the industry and supporting public safety.

Automotive Alternative Fuels Association Inc

The following four bills have passed through both Houses of Federal Parliament and await Royal assent.

The four Bills contained in the package are the Taxation of Alternative Fuels Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011, the Customs Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011 and the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Amendment Bill 2011.

These Bills bring certain alternative fuels used for transport purposes into the fuel taxation regime and make them subject to excise duty or excise-equivalent customs duty. The fuels affected are liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). The rates for these fuels are based on the energy content of the specific fuels and discounted by 50 per cent to reflect the potential benefits of these alternative fuels. The changes are phased in over a transition period to allow affected parties time to adjust to the changes. They will commence on 1 December 2011.... Read More

01/07/2011- LPG Vehicle Scheme - Claims Capped
The Prime Minister Ms Julia Gillard has announced the Government will make $2.8 billion in spending cuts, with the funding to go towards the recovery and reconstruction effort of the Queensland Floods. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Scheme will have its annual claims capped at 25,000 claims per annum for the life of the scheme from 2011-12. ...... Read More