Oz Government Backs ANCAP With A$2.0 Million in Funding

The Australian government pledges A$2.2 million ($2.0 million) in funding over the next two years to the independent vehicle-safety-rating organization, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs says with government support and funding, ANCAP has increased its ratings coverage to 95% of new passenger vehicles and light-commercial vehicles sold in Australia.

“The Australian government is committed to working with organizations such as ANCAP to raise awareness of road safety and to reduce death and injury on our roads through safer vehicles, safer roads and safer drivers,” Briggs says in a statement.

ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh says it is reassuring to see the new government continue to recognize the significance of safer vehicles and the important, independent role ANCAP plays in vehicle safety.

“The commitment to continue at least for a further two years will complement the ongoing commitments from all stakeholders,” McIntosh says.

“This funding will see ANCAP enter the next phase of vehicle-safety assessment as we recognize the rapid growth of active safety technologies and begin to assess their effectiveness.”

McIntosh says manufacturers recognize and accept the value of the ANCAP process in encouraging new-car buyers, including fleet managers, to look for and buy the safest cars available.

“As we see more and more imported cars entering our market, the continued role of ANCAP as the only independent organization providing detailed safety comparisons is essential,” he says.

ANCAP is supported by 23 member organizations including Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the New Zealand government, Australian state and territory governments and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission.

The Australian Automobile Assn. calls the funding a significant investment to improve the safety of all road users.

“There is growing consumer awareness and acceptance of ANCAP’s crash ratings, which has put welcome pressure on the automotive industry to improve the safety of their vehicles,” AAA CEO Andrew McKellar says in a statement.

“ANCAP has an important role to promote safer vehicles and provides valuable guidance to consumers on the safety rating of a vehicle.”