As from July 1st the Commonwealth Transport Department has removed most of the permitted Grey Imports (ie those not imported in full volume new by the Multinationals.
The bottom line now is that all internal combustion engined cars, SUV and light commercials have been replaced with either hybrids or "Wellcabs"; disabled persons' vehicles.
The last serious curtailment of used vehicle imports happened in 2002 under the Howard Government that then buckled to the Multinationals claim that "Grey imports would cause the closure of their Aus manufacturing.
Well, hello! the Multinationals have closed their Aus manufacturing and took bat and ball to 3rd world countries such as Thailand etc. This time around the Multinationals are "calling their hip pockets" despite Aus having a FTA with Japan and that there is no Aussie manufacturing jobs to save.
Small businesses athlete are exposed to a raft of FTAs now can't take advantage of cheap used light commercial vehicles such as Hiace diesel vans which are now in high demand due to the online/gig economy.
Even the backpackers can't afford a secondhand van !.
This is a case of blaming the tail when its the dog that is at fault!
