The LNP scrapped Queensland’s membership of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.
That decision’s been put in reverse by the Palaszczuk Government.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the government has honoured an election commitment to review funding arrangements for membership of the Council.
“And now we’ve gone one better.
“Following the review we’ve decided to reinstate the funding and resume Queensland’s membership of the Council,” the Minister said.
RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner welcomed the news.
“The Police Minister’s commitment to re-join this theft prevention group is the right move for Queensland drivers, who suffered vehicle theft losses of up to 131 million dollars last year.
“RACQ has fought hard for the funding for this program for years and applauds the State Government for coming to the party and give Queensland access to locally-delivered crime prevention programs,” Mr Turner said.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Motor Vehicle Theft Council Chief Executive, Geoff Hughes, said talks were already well advanced with key Queensland stakeholders.
“We are already talking to the Queensland Police Service, RACQ and Suncorp Insurance about a range of initiatives to help motorists reduce theft risks, divert young offenders from crime and close off loop holes that allow some criminals to trade older stolen vehicles as scrap metal,” Mr Hughes said.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council is a joint initiative of Australian State governments and the insurance industry to identify and implement strategic responses to vehicles crime.
The combined efforts of its stakeholders have helped reduce the nations theft volumes by more than 60 per cent over the last ten years.
