Mr Lamont (centre) with the Minister (left) and Mr Harniman

Peak body in ministerial talks

Industry takes concerns
to corridors of power

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THE caravan industry's peak body continues to take its concerns to the corridors of power in Canberra.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont and government relations and policy officer Julian Harniman recently met with Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack.

Among the items discussed were:

* The need for local governments to be included in the 'effects test' when assessing free camping against competitive neutrality guidelines.

* The Motor Vehicle Standards Act and the issue of caravans falling under its 'trailers' category.

* Giving the minister the final say in compliance issues rather than the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

* Noise corridor regulations in terms of how they can affect caravan park development ... for example, on the Bruce Highway near Cairns.

* The issue of the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducting research on hotel accommodation nights but not on caravan industry nights.

Mr Lamont and Mr Harniman also advised the minister that his Riverina electorate in NSW is ranked 12 out of 13 for the number of caravan industry visitor nights, and 13 out of 13 for average length of stay.

This latest meeting was part of a concerted effort that will see the association told talks on caravan industry issues with over 12 sitting MPs in the coming weeks.

Among them will be Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, the second-most senior officer in the government.

Mr Lamont has said he welcomes the opportunity of working with ministers and their departments with "positive dialogue" so the iconic Australian caravanning and camping industry could continue flourishing.

"We look forward to liaising with Cabinet ministers to showcase the incredible story which is the caravanning industry, and discussing how we can work closely with them to achieve positive outcomes for both the industry and Australia more broadly," he said.

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