AnnuAl RepoRt 2008-2009 - Australian Automobile Association

Annual Report
2008-2009
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AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
216 Northbourne Ave
Canberra  ACT  2600
GPO Box 1555
Canberra  ACT  2601
Ph: 61 2 6247 7311
Fax: 61 2 6257 5320
email:[email protected]
Incorporated in the ACT
ABN: 25 008 526 369
Design: www.metadesignstudio.com.au
AAA Objectives and Themes
2-3
President’s Report
4-5
Chief Executive’s Report
6-7
AAA Board
8-9
AAA Activities
10-17
AAA Staff
18
Graphs & Statistics
19-21
1 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
Table of contents
AAA objectives
Throughout its 84-year history, the Australian Automobile Association has been the national voice of Australian
motorists. The AAA Business Plan sets out the following objectives:
2 | Australian Automobile Association
Objectives of AAA
a)
To promote responsible, safe, affordable motoring.
b)
To represent, safeguard and protect the interests of Australian motorists.
c)
To facilitate opportunities for the mutual benefit of member clubs.
d)
To engender a spirit of cooperation between member clubs.
e)
To manage relationships with the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
and international motoring clubs.
AAA themes
In meeting these strategic and corporate objectives, AAA has developed its activities around seven themes. They are:
Motorists
Easier, safer, more pleasurable and affordable motoring
Safety
Safer motoring
Infrastructure
A transport network which moves people and freight safely,
quickly and efficiently
Environment
Improved environmental performance of cars
AAA working
groups
Best practice
Public affairs
Influence, inform and lead debate
International
relations
Strong links to the international motoring community to
enhance opportunities for sharing of experiences, development
of products and creation of public policy
3 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
Themes and strategic outcomes
President’s Report
2008-09 has seen the Australian Automobile
Association and Constituent motoring clubs
maintain their high profile and role in providing
our 6.5 million members with outstanding
service and advocacy on their behalves in
dealing with governments, the automotive
industry and the broad motoring public.
Freda Crucitti President
I have enjoyed my time as President of
the AAA and the insight it has given me
into the operations and activities in
Australia and overseas.
One thing I have realised is the activities
of AAA and the clubs extend far beyond
the provision of roadside assistance and
members’ services. These activities have a
profound impact on not just motoring issues
but also wider community interests.
4 | Australian Automobile Association
These interests include funding for
infrastructure programs, petrol pricing,
alternative fuels, Learner driver programs
and, importantly, the rights and mobility
of the ageing population – these are all
major issues which affect motorists and
the whole Australian population.
As has been the case with the Australian
economy, the clubs have weathered the
economic challenges and continue to provide
outstanding service and value-adding for
members and motorists more generally.
I have, in my role as AAA President, met
with a large number of Federal and State
Ministers, politicians and staff and am
impressed with the esteem with which
the AAA and clubs are held. While ANOP
research has found motorists and members
see the motoring clubs as “iconic”, it is
clear that governments and the industry
also respect the role of AAA and the clubs
in gaining the best outcome for motorists.
AAA and the clubs have been at the forefront
of policy development and advocacy in
engaging governments, stakeholders and
motorists in achieving outcomes in the
interests of the Australian population.
AAA continues to be at the forefront of
policy development in the motoring sector,
working on behalf of the motorist in
developing the innovative Learner driver
program, keys2drive. With the support
of the Federal Government, AAA has
developed and has rolled out keys2drive
in 2008-09 and into 2009-10.
These activities have been played out against
the backdrop of the Global Financial Crisis
which has challenged governments and
organisations around the world – presenting
corporate challenges as much as the core
service-delivery business of the clubs.
This program has the potential to
significantly influence behavioural change
among younger drivers, the driver training
industry and among supervising drivers,
often parents. It offers not only a free lesson
for the Learner and their supervisor but also
There is also substantial work being
done in the area of sustainable mobility
within AAA’s Climate Change programs,
alternative fuel and “green” vehicles, as well
as AAA’s ongoing safety programs such as
the Australian Road Assessment Program
(AusRAP) and the Australasian New Car
Assessment Program (ANCAP).
AAA is now active in the area of older
drivers, developing programs to support the
ageing population but also looking beyond
that to ensure mobility, independence and
safety can be maintained for this sector.
This is an issue that governments are now
starting to focus on and I note some recent
comments by the Federal Treasury head,
Ken Henry, to a Parliamentary inquiry:
“The rise of China and India is one of
four key forces set to shape the Australian
economy in the future, along with the
ageing of the population, climate change
and the information and communications
technology revolution.”
the program among the industry and
motoring media for its independence
and broad range of vehicles assessed.
Australia has also been prominent in
contributing to global road safety activities
and strategies, with AAA and club officials
attending and supporting the world motoring
body, FIA, and the Commission for Global
Road Safety’s Make Roads Safe campaign.
Indeed, the CEOs’ study tour participated
in the launch of the Commission’s second
report into global road safety in April 2009.
We have also been active on a wide range
of working groups and committees through
FIA and in Australia, and I thank those
officials who put in the hours on these
groups to develop programs and policies in
the interests of motorists and all road users.
I have had the privilege of observing directly
the value of and respect for AAA’s contribution
to Region 2 and global road safety strategies.
AAA and the Constituent clubs have
recognised the need to support older drivers
and are actively working on policy and
programs in their interests. We have an
important role to play in providing support
and necessary services for this demographic.
I would also like to thank AAA Chief
Executive, Mike Harris, and his staff for their
dedication and ability in their activities, along
with club CEOs and their staff in delivering
services and support for their motoring
members. Alongside this, I thank the AAA
Board members for their commitments,
collaboration and contribution to the motoring
cause, working together on national and
international issues.
The Australia’s Best Cars program,
conducted by AAA and the clubs, continues
to grow in profile and interest among the
motoring community and manufacturers.
This is the 10th year of Australia’s Best
Cars and there is growing recognition of
I look forward to seeing AAA and the
clubs continuing their valuable work and
maintaining the value and respect they
have garnered across the broad spectrum
of Australian society in championing road
safety for all road users.
5 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
access to AAA driver trainers’ accreditation
and driver education.
Chief Executive’s Report
Another year passed and AAA remains an active
organisation, working on behalf of the Constituent
motoring clubs and their 6.5 million members, both
in Australia and on the world stage.
Mike Harris Chief Executive
Nationally, AAA has continued to represent
the interests of our Constituents on motoring
and road safety issues. In line with the safer
systems approach, AAA advocates and
implements programs to ensure the ethos of
safer drivers in safer cars on safer roads.
The development and rollout of our
innovative Learner driver program,
keys2drive, continued throughout 2008-09
with the support of Federal Government
funding and driver trainers. The program
is not only attracting Learners and their
supervising drivers but is also raising
the bar within the driver training industry
in terms of undertaking the keys2drive
accreditation program.
6 | Australian Automobile Association
Similarly the bar is being raised in vehicle
safety, with the Australasian New Car
Assessment Program awarding its first
5-star rating to an Australian-made car in
the Ford Falcon during 2008-09. This was
followed with similar ratings for the Holden
Commodore range.
ANCAP also focussed on light commercial
vans and utilities, the generators of Australian
business, in conducting a range of crash
tests on these vehicles during the year.
AusRAP star ratings for the national highway
network continue to be utilised by State
governments in assessing and developing
road infrastructure projects, and work
began on an innovative study combining
AusRAP and iRAP methodologies in
partnership with the RACQ and the
Queensland Transport Department.
Alongside these programs, AAA and the
clubs continue their activities in the Climate
Change area, ensuring vehicle fleets
are bringing down their emissions and
curtailing their carbon footprint.
The Australia’s Best Cars program
continues to raise its profile as the only
truly independent vehicle award on the
Australian calendar, with the national
Awards night conducted in Sydney in
December 2008 hosted by the NRMA.
And the Association has also become
active in the area of older drivers’ issues.
This is a demographic that is increasingly
important for motoring clubs and the
broader community as the population
ages, and governments acknowledge this
increasingly powerful lobby.
time outside Region 1 in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, as well as FIA General Assembly
in Paris in November 2008.
The AAA motoring clubs currently have some
2 million members over the age of 60, and
this will increase as the Australian population
continues to age.
AAA and the RACV also hosted a meeting
of the Global Response Roundtable in
Melbourne in April 2009, with clubs from
Belgium, Holland, Germany, the USA,
Canada and Japan attending. And AAA
continues its leadership role in Region 2
activities, including attendance at the Region
2 Plenary Assembly in Japan in April.
The AAA maintains a strong voice in Federal
Parliament through its regular Parliamentary
Visits Program with the clubs and also
hosting a popular Christmas drinks function
in December 2008 in collaboration with
the Australian Trucking Association and the
Australian Local Government Association.
We also continue to engage media and
Press Gallery journalists with regular
briefings and involvement.
Internationally, AAA and the clubs have been
involved within the FIA global road safety
initiatives, activities and working groups,
particularly in the areas of
mobility and the global road safety
campaign, Make Roads Safe.
Despite the difficult economic circumstances,
the Australian Automobile Association and
Constituent clubs have maintained a wide
range of activities on behalf of members and
the wider motoring public.
I would like to thank the dedicated AAA staff,
the AAA Board and working groups such as
the Public Policy Forum for their drive and
enthusiasm in advocating and working on
behalf of the members and public.
The CEOs’ study tour in May 2009
visited motoring clubs in Spain, Belgium
and Slovenia as well as participating in the
launch of the second report by the Global
Commission on Road Safety.
7 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
AAA and the clubs also presented and
participated in a number of sessions
at Conference Week, held for the first
AAA BOARD
The AAA Board oversees the activities and
strategic functions of the AAA and consists
of representatives of its constituent motoring
organisations – NRMA Motoring & Services,
RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT, AANT
and RACA.
The Board met in August 2008, November 2008
and April 2009. The AAA Annual Conference
was hosted by the RAASA in Adelaide in
November 2008.
Board meetings set and review the strategic
direction of the AAA, review AAA activities against
the Business Plan, decide on key policy issues,
oversee AAA forward planning, exchange views
among constituents and ensure the statutory
requirements for the organisation are achieved.
Freda Crucitti
President AAA,
Director RACWA
Ray Grigg
Vice-President AAA,
Vice-President RAASA
Alden Halse
President, RACWA
Roger Locke
President, RACT
Ian Gillespie
Chief Executive
Officer, RACQ
Ian Stone
Chief Executive
Officer, RAASA
The major Board committees are:
• Audit and Investment; and
• Remuneration.
All Board committees have their own Charter to
ensure their relevance and have met regularly
throughout 2008-09.
8 | Australian Automobile Association
The CEOs visited clubs in Spain, Belgium and
Slovenia in May 2009, as part of a study tour.
The group also participated in the release of
the second report of the Global Commission
on Road Safety.
Some members of the Board also attended the
FIA General Assembly conducted in Paris in
November 2008. The AAA Board also attended
the Global Response Roundtable meeting held
in Melbourne in April 2009.
John Isaac
President, RACV
Richard Pietsch
President, RACQ
Leon Holmes
President, RAASA
Bob Bradley
President, AANT
Gavin Thomas
President, RACA
Tony Stuart
Chief Executive
Officer, NRMA
Colin Jordan
Managing Director/Chief
Executive Officer, RACV
Terry Agnew
Group Chief Executive
Officer, RACWA
Greg Goodman
Chief Executive, RACT
Mike Harris
Chief Executive, AAA
9 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
Wendy Machin
President, NRMA
AAA ACTIVITIES
AAA undertakes a range of activities on behalf of
Constituent motoring clubs and their members.
These activities are undertaken at the national
and international level, and are presented in line
with the AAA Business Plan 2008-12.
Motorists
Public Policy Forum Meetings
Federal Budget
The Public Policy Forum (PPF),
comprising representatives from all
Constituent clubs, is responsible for
researching and developing policy
proposals and implementing Board
decisions. PPF meetings were conducted
in October 2008, March 2009 and June
2009. Topics addressed in the PPF
meetings included AusRAP, vehicle fuel
efficiency, petrol prices, fuel tax reform,
alternative fuels, driver education, older
drivers and climate change.
AAA awarded the 2009 Federal Budget
a “pass” but definitely not a “credit”. The
Federal Government took a “spending”
approach to dealing with the global
financial crisis (GFC), with a major
emphasis on funding road and rail
infrastructure projects and providing a
bottom line deficit of $57.6 billion – the
largest deficit handed down by any
Australian government.
Most of this funding was already announced.
The Budget delivered $8.5 billion in new
funds for infrastructure projects – but only
$3.4 billion for road construction – through
the former AusLink program now renamed
as the Nation Building Program.
10 | Australian Automobile Association
Petrol Prices
AAA and Constituent clubs regularly
highlighted petrol pricing issues throughout
2008-09, particularly when the domestic
price was not in line with world oil prices.
AAA also made representations to the
ACCC regarding the Caltex acquisition of
Mobil sites, expressing the importance of
maintaining competition at the wholesale
and retail levels within the industry.
In conjunction with the PPF meetings, a
meeting of the AusRAP Steering Committee
is held which reviews recommendations
from a Technical Working Group and sets
policy direction for AusRAP.
Communication Managers Group
The Communication Managers Group
(CMG) provides advice on a range of
strategic communication issues and
develops communication strategies and
media plans to support AAA and PPF
activities. It met in July 2008, October
2008, January 2009 (teleconference) and
March 2009 (teleconference).
AAA Public Policy Forum Back Row: James Cameron (AAA), Michael Case (RACV), Mike Noon (NZAA), Michael Roth (RACQ), Vince Taskunas
(RACT), Front Row: Matt Brown (RACWA), Chris Siorokos (NRMA), Sharon Hanlon (RAASA), Peter Tsokas (RAASA), John Metcalfe (AAA)
Australia’s Best Cars
On behalf of the Constituent clubs, AAA
manages and facilitates the Australia’s Best
Cars program. Australia’s Best Cars prides
itself on being a comprehensive, objective
and credible source of information for new
car buyers. This has been reinforced in
2008-09 by vehicle manufacturers such as
Ford and Hyundai proudly advertising their
vehicles as winners of the Australia’s Best
Cars award, featuring the Best Cars and
Club logos in their advertising.
Australian Road Patrol Skills
Showcase
AAA and the clubs conducted the second
Australian Road Patrol Skills Showcase
in Canberra on March 11 and 12, 2009.
The roadside patrol officers representing
all Clubs demonstrated their skills in a
range of roadside situations including
flat tyres, unlocking vehicles (with and
without technology), battery condition and
diagnosis and repairing engine faults.
The Showcase provided the motoring
clubs with an opportunity to exchange
information on their roadside service
patrols and to test the skills of their
officers. A number of Best Practice Awards
were also presented to the patrol officers.
11 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
The CMG provided major input and advice
to PPF and the Board about communication
aspects of Australia’s Best Cars. It also
developed a communications strategy to
support keys2drive and provided advice on
Climate Change and older driver issues.
Media Releases
12 | Australian Automobile Association
AAA issued 28 media releases in 2008-09:
23.6.2009
Mandating ESC Will Save Lives
19.6.2009
Unlocking keys2drive in Tasmania
27.5.2009
ACCC Should Look at Caltex Buyout
20.5.2009
U.S. Brings in New Fuel Efficiency Standards
12.5.2009
Budget Tackles Urban Transport and Safety
29.4.2009
“New” Funds Needed for Infrastructure Projects
16.4.2009
Road Safety A Budget Priority
3.4.2009
AAA Welcomes Euro NCAP Visit
16.3.2009
Roadside Patrol Officers Show Their Wares
12.2.2009
Motoring Clubs Showcase Their Expertise
3.2.2009
AAA Welcomes Government’s Black Spot and Infrastructure Package
31.1.2009
Road Deaths Down in 2008 - But 4 Still Die Every Day
20.12.2008
Drive ‘N Text - U B Next
19.12.2008
Don’t Drive To Distraction This Christmas
15.12.2008
Learners Get The keys2drive in Tasmanian Pilot
12.12.2008
AAA Welcomes Infrastructure Boost
6.12.2008
AAA Welcomes Increase in Truck Road User Charge
3.12.2008
Australia’s Best Cars Winners Announced
14.11.2008
Australia’s Best Cars Finalists Announced
13.11.2008
AAA Tells Henry Review To Abolish Fuel Excise
10.11.2008
Tariff Cut a Good Result for Motorists
6.11.2008
Barina Good But Could Be Better
16.9.2008
Government Vague on Excise Cuts Under CPRS
22.8.2008
Need for Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards
15.8.2008
Government Action Required on Bracks
6.8.2008
AAA Welcomes 5 Star-Car
22.7.2008
AAA Supports Life-Saving ESC Technology
16.7.2008
AAA Welcomes Carbon Green Paper
AAA represents the views of Constituent
clubs and their 6.5 million members on a
range of motoring issues. In 2008-09, AAA
presented submissions and appeared before
a number of government committee inquiries
and reviews, including:
• Submission to National Environment
Protection Council regarding a proposed
Product Stewardship Agreement for endof-life vehicle tyres;
• Submission to Australian Transport
Council (ATC)/ Environment Protection
Heritage Council (EPHC) Vehicle Fuel
Efficiency Working Group regarding
potential measures to improve the fuel
efficiency of Australian motor vehicles;
• Appearance before the Parliament of
Victoria Road Safety Committee Inquiry
into Australian Design Rules;
• Response to the Green Car Innovation
Fund (GCIF), including recommendations
on the life-cycle emissions from vehicles,
expanding the Green Vehicle Guide (GVG),
affordability for the ordinary motorist and
vehicle safety;
• Submission to Henry Review of Taxation,
recommending that fuel excise should be
abolished and replaced with a road user
charge, nationally consistent and minimal
registration charges and abolition of the
Luxury Car Tax and stamp duty;
• Submission to Senate Inquiry into Public
Transport, outlining public investment
in private vehicle and public passenger
transport services and infrastructure;
• Submission to Infrastructure Australia,
providing a summary of AusRAP research
into the safety performance of the
AusLink National Network;
• Submission to Inquiry into National
FuelWatch, advising AAA had an open
view on the FuelWatch model nationally
and that our Constituent motoring Clubs
have a preference to develop their
own positions based on their specific
circumstances;
• Submission to Inquiry into the Luxury Car
Tax (LCT), reiterating its opposition to the
LCT and recommending it be abolished;
• Submission to Senate Inquiry into
Nation Building Program (National
land Transport) Amendment Bill
2009, pointing out that AAA’s major
concerns over the level of funding for
the program, the roads that should be
included in the network, the criteria
used to fund individual projects, the
time frames to complete projects and
the funding arrangements between the
Commonwealth and the States.
Parliamentary Visits Program (PVP)
The 2008-09 PVP involved a number of
initial visits by club representatives to
meet with members of the ALP Federal
Government. It was important to give the
new Government some time to settle in, so
the PVP was delayed until the second half
of 2008. This has undoubtedly helped to
continue an effective working relationship
with the Federal Government.
Ministers and their staff were welcoming
in their meetings and appreciative of AAA
13 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
AAA Submissions on Behalf
of Members
and the clubs’ representations on various
matters impacting Australian motorists.
Face-to-face meetings with parliamentarians
were down a little on previous years due
to the delayed start. More than 80 face-toface meetings with parliamentarians were
facilitated during 2008-09. Access to some
Minister’s offices proved to be a bit of a task.
However, meetings were possible with key
staff members.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister
Anthony Albanese, who had earlier in 2008
honoured the ALP election commitment to
fund AAA’s national Learner driver program,
keys2drive, with a funding package of $17
million remained very supportive of the
program during its first year of development.
As in previous years the continued
availability and participation in the PVP by
senior club representatives – including
Presidents, Chief Executives and Public
Policy Managers – assisted in facilitating
access to Ministers/Shadow Ministers,
advisers and senior public servants.
14 | Australian Automobile Association
Review of Australian Automotive
Industry
AAA presented a detailed submission to
the Federal Government’s Review of the
Australian Automotive Industry, arguing for
a continuation of reduced tariff levels and
calling on the industry to make greener
vehicles. The tariff assistance works against
the objectives of the AAA, which include
promoting responsible, affordable and safe
motoring and safeguarding and protecting
the interests of Australian motorists.
Safety
Australasian New Car
Assessment Program (ANCAP)
AAA is an active member of ANCAP, which
has continued to build on its role as the
leading independent advocate for consumers
on vehicle safety through regular reporting on
crash test results for a wide range of vehicles.
In 2008-09, ANCAP conducted tests on
family cars, small cars, 4 wheel drives and
light commercial vehicles, providing safety
information and a star rating for occupant
protection and pedestrian safety.
Star ratings varied across vehicles and
attracted significant publicity within the
automotive industry, the media and the
broader public. A highlight of the year was
the awarding of the first 5-star safety rating
to an Australian-made car, the 2008
Ford Falcon.
ANCAP conducted a number of successful
Media Open Days in July 2008, December
2008 and April 2009. These Open Days
provided journalists and invited fleet
managers with an opportunity to test
drive cars with and without ESC, to tour
Crashlab, view an ANCAP crash test and
receive briefings on ANCAP activities and
vehicle safety features.
keys2drive
keys2drive, developed by AAA and its
Constituent clubs, is the single largest
national Learner driver safety program
in Australia’s history. The Australian
Government has committed $17 million
over five years to see keys2drive
implemented in every state and territory.
AAA’s innovative Learner driver program, keys2drive, offers a new approach to driver training.
Following this, the keys2drive program
was introduced in Tasmania in April
2009. Qualitative feedback received from
Learner drivers and supervisors who have
undertaken the free lessons suggests
an increase in understanding of how
behavioural attitudes effect driving.
An interactive keys2drive website,
www.keys2drive.com.au, has been
established and provides learning material
for driver instructors, supervisors and
Learner drivers. Initial website analytics
suggest that the website is successfully
drawing users. Beginning drivers are
participating in a reflective journey via a
range of web-based experiences.
Preparations for a State-by-State
keys2drive rollout have commenced.
Australian Standards
The AAA actively supports the development
of standards such as the Australian Design
Rules and Australian Standards. The AAA has
had a lead role in the revision of the Australian
Standard for Child Restraints for Use in Motor
Vehicles, which is currently undergoing the
final stages of the revision process.
Infrastructure
Australian Road Assessment
Program (AusRAP)
AusRAP is an initiative of AAA and Constituent
clubs, using data from State Government road
and traffic agencies. It assesses and rates
Australian roads using two protocols – risk
mapping of casualty crashes and a star rating
system using an internationally recognised
Road Protection Score (RPS).
The AusRAP reports are being increasingly
recognised among governments, industry,
the media and stakeholders. State and
Territory road authorities provided valuable
technical advice and data for use and
analysis under the program. The latest
15 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
In March 2009, the keys2drive driver
instructor training and accreditation
commenced. As a consequence of
keys2drive accreditation, the number
of driving instructors with higher
qualifications has increased.
research involved estimating the cost of
upgrading the national road network to
a minimum 4-star rating, which is the
minimum standard that AAA argues should
be set for the national network. The research
findings were referenced in a submission
to Infrastructure Australia and a pre-budget
submission to the Federal Government.
The Australian Government has expressed
enthusiasm for AusRAP but has not
provided any funding since 2007.
Environment
Federal Government’s Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme
(CPRS)
AAA provided a submission to the Federal
Government in responding to its Green
Paper: Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
(CPRS). The submission addressed AAA’s
position on emissions trading, the design of
the scheme and the need to adopt fuel and
energy efficiency measures.
Fuel Standards Consultative
Committee
16 | Australian Automobile Association
AAA continues to participate as a member of
the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee,
a group which provides recommendations to
the Australian Government minister regarding
national fuel quality standards.
Working Groups
Road Service Managers
The 2008 Road Service Manager’s
Conference was hosted by NRMA
Motoring & Services and held on 20-21
October 2008. The Conference included
presentations and discussions on business
initiatives, road service management
structures and reciprocal service
arrangements for members of
interstate clubs.
Technical Policy Group
The AAA coordinates regular discussions
between clubs on matters of technical policy
including vehicle safety, fuel consumption,
and vehicle defects. The Technical Policy
Group provides input to develop AAA policy
and advocacy positions and to develop
AAA submissions in response to discussion
papers such as those on end-of-life tyres
and vehicle fuel efficiency.
International Relations
FIA Conference Week
Delegates from AAA and Constituent clubs
attended the FIA Conference Week and
FIA Working Group sessions in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, in May 2009. Delegates
from more than 50 countries attended the
international conference.
Commissions included Road Safety and
Mobility, Legal and Consumer Affairs,
Tourism, Road Assistance, and Marketing.
AAA was represented at the conference
and made a number of presentations and
submissions to the various Commissions.
The FIA Foundation also conducted a Forum
on Road Safety and the Tourist. iRAP held
a session on road assessment programs
around the world, at which AAA made a
presentation on AusRAP.
FIA Working Group
The Chief Executive sat on the FIA Working
Group examining the FIA statutes.
AAA is an active member of the FIA Region
2, providing leadership and support for a
range of activities throughout the Asia-Pacific
area. This included a meeting of the Region
2 Executive Committee in September 2008 to
look at a number of issues, including support
for inactive clubs in the region, identifying
commercial opportunities and the promotion
of road safety programs, particularly road
assessment programs.
Global Response Roundtable
AAA co-ordinates the participation of club
CEOs with CEOs of other national motoring
organisations from Great Britain, Norway,
the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the
USA to share information and experiences.
Issues covered included competitive threats,
internet initiatives, levels of membership,
environmental issues, traffic safety programs
and telematics among others.
AAA and the RACV hosted a meeting of the
GRR clubs in Melbourne in April 2009.
Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV)
AAA’s Director, Technical Services, attended
the 21st International Technical Conference on
the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles in Stuttgart
in June 2009. ESV is the premier vehicle
safety conference and is held every 2 years.
The conference theme “Putting Advanced
Technology to Work” showcased a range of
collision avoidance technologies and technical
sessions discussed how to assess the benefits
of new technologies.
International Motoring Documents
The AAA – through its affiliation with the AIT/
FIA and as the only authorised association
in Australia – offers through the Constituent
motoring clubs a variety of international motoring
products which allow individuals the freedom to
travel independently overseas with a minimum
of formalities. These products include:
International Driving Permits (IDP)
An IDP translates an Australian driving
licence into an internationally recognised
format, verifying the category and validity
into nine different languages. The IDP also
provides additional photo identification. There
were 186,646 IDPs sold in 2008-09.
Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD)
A CPD is simply a vehicle “passport” which
includes all vehicle details and allows entry
into many countries around the world without
lengthy delays and the need to pay duties
at each border. Around 400 vehicles are
temporarily imported into Australia annually
and the AAA guarantees to the Australian
Customs Service to pay duties for these
vehicles if they are not re-exported within
the 12-month expiry period. The AAA issued
80 Carnets for vehicles leaving Australia in
2008-09.
Camping Card International (CCI)
A CCI is a useful and widely recognised
document throughout Europe and Africa at
camping and caravan sites. The CCI provides
insurance cover for financial members for
bodily injury to third parties. Clubs issued 247
CCIs in 2008-09.
17 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
FIA Region 2 Activities
18 | Australian Automobile Association
AAA STAFF
Mike Harris
Chief Executive
John Metcalfe
Director, Research
and Policy
Craig Newland
Director, Technical
Services
Karen Smith
Director, keys2drive
Julie Anderson
Liaison Manager
Paul Scott
Manager, Government
Relations
Allan Yates
Communications
Manager
James Cameron
Research and
Policy Officer
Margaret Blacklock
Finance Manager
Peppina Sorbara
International Documents
Officer
Kirsti Donovan
Office Assistant
AAA graphs and statistics
Monthly average capital city fuel prices (cpl)
19 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
Average monthly crude oil prices ($ per barrel)
Road Death Rate Against National Road Safety Strategy Target
(Deaths per 100,000 population)
The above graph shows that while there has been significant improvement in the road fatality rate
since the current National Road Safety Strategy commenced, from 9.4 deaths per 100,00 population
to 7.2 deaths per 100,000 population, the result to date is well short of the target 6.0 per 100,000
population that the strategy was aiming for.
State graph colour key (opposite)
20 | Australian Automobile Association
National
State
National Target
5
Territory
5
12
11
21 | Annual Report 2008 - 2009
7
10
Australian Capital Territory
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
Dec-10
8
6
Dec-10
7
Dec-09
8
Dec-09
9
Dec-08
10
Dec-08
14
Dec-07
15
Dec-07
Western Australia
Dec-06
11
Dec-06
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
Dec-06
5
Dec-05
6
Dec-05
7
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
Dec-06
Dec-05
Dec-04
12
Dec-05
8
Dec-04
11
Dec-04
12
Dec-04
9
Dec-03
5
Dec-03
5
Dec-03
6
Dec-03
7
6
Dec-02
8
7
Dec-02
8
Dec-02
9
Dec-02
10
9
Dec-01
10
Dec-01
11
Dec-01
10
Dec-00
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
Dec-06
Dec-05
11
Dec-01
Queensland
Dec-00
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
Dec-06
Dec-05
12
Dec-00
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
Dec-06
Dec-05
Dec-04
Dec-03
Dec-02
Dec-01
Dec-00
New South Wales
Dec-00
Dec-10
Dec-09
Dec-08
Dec-07
35
Northern
33
31
29
27
25
23
21
19
17
15
13
11
9
7
5 (note change of vertical scale)
Dec-06
Dec-05
12
Dec-04
Dec-03
Dec-02
Dec-01
Dec-00
11
Dec-04
Dec-03
Dec-02
Dec-01
Dec-00
12
Dec-04
Dec-03
Dec-02
Dec-01
Dec-00
State and Territory Progress against the National Road Safety Strategy Target
Road deaths per 100,000 population
Victoria
South Australia
10
9
8
7
6
5
Tasmania
13
12
11
10
9
6
(note change of vertical scale)