Protest to Parliament Run, NSW 31 Aug.

[auntymal]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office workers, mums, dads, motorcycles and scooters
to converge on Parliament

Changes to the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme on July 1st this year, saw motorcycle and scooter riders slugged with outrageous price increases. Some riders are facing increases of nearly 100%. This is despite a dramatic decrease in fatalities since 1995. Car drivers are now also beginning to question the CTP scheme.

a.. FACT: In 1995 there were 8.9 motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles in NSW.
b.. FACT: In 2008 there were 3.7 motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles in NSW.


There are almost 168,000 registered motorcycles in NSW and half a million motorcycle licence holders. There are more motorcycles and scooters on the road than ever and the road toll is going down. "With more bikes on our roads, we will continue to see a marked reduction in congestion, pollution and parking problems, especially in major cities like Sydney" the Chairman of the Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW), Rob Colligan stated today. "But instead of promoting greener transport, motorcycles and scooters are being financially driven off the roads with massive increases in CTP premiums."

The MCC of NSW is therefore calling upon all motorcycle and scooter owners, along with motorcycle industry representatives to converge on Parliament House at 12 noon on August 31st to protest this unfair and unjustified money-grab on one of the greenest forms of transport on our roads. "It is time for our political leaders to come clean on why they do not recognize motorcycles and scooters as unique and independent road users, instead of treating us as some sort of small car or some sort of problem," Colligan said. "The Motorcycle Council of NSW would like to apologise to the people of Sydney for any inconvenience our protest may cause, but it is time for us all to stand up and be counted."

The MCC of NSW has invited the Premier of NSW to address the protest, yet only the Shadow Minister for Roads, Andrew Stoner, has accepted the invitation. "The government can ensure insurance company profits do not undermine the CTP scheme and it is time for the Kenneally Government to answer to the people of NSW the hard question, of what is wrong with our CTP Scheme." Colligan said.

THE MCC of NSW

United we ride - Divided we walk

For further information and all media enquiries please contact:

Rob Colligan - Chairman MCC of NSW

0401227731

[Betty]

Time for me to play devil's advocate again ... and I know I am going to cop the usual 'but at least they are trying to do something' responses. I have said before I am all for these things but there needs to be a clear, concise and irrefutable argument ... and unfortunately I am not seeing that.

The release above:
. starts talking about CTP prices
. moves on to motorbike fatalities
. confuses the message further by talking about more bike riders, reduced congestion and a 'green' message
. then trying to tie that message to CTP prices

I'm confused (yes I know its not hard). Shame there was not a single mention of the MCIS levy in all that as it is probably the thing that the government has the most control over, is the least understood and possibly most discriminatory towards motorcyclists.

I know I am now going to get a whole heap of whinging posts that I should stop complaining and do something about it ... but I can accept that. I'm happy to discuss it further.

[Stinky Wizzleteats]

Stop whinging, complaining & do something about it then. 

[monstermick58]

Yes Betty you are playing the devils advocate.

You know the CTP prices have gone up in most cases, and you would have to agree up more than the normal inflation rate, and I will confuse this more by saying that motorists in general are being slugged more with more camera cars on  the road and the tolerance of over speed reduced.

   We, as a nation are apathetic, the pollies know this and dare I say, rely on our apathy to push things through which are sometimes unsavoury at best, discriminatory at worst (read that as legal theft).

    As you may be aware, we will be having a state (NSW) election soon, we as road users need to start and get off our (a)pathetic arses and start rattling the can at the big house in Sydney, the more that do this the better the responce will be, do your homework, if you agree do something if you dont then do what most people who agree will do and that is bugger all, except whinge to their mates and on forums like this.


    So.... are you with us, or......







                         Mmick (power to the (motorcycle) people)

[DUCMONROB]

+ 1 Mick. bring back the days where people demonstrated their views not like now where people seem to just cop it without much complaint.

[Betty]

Unfortunately Mick you have just confirmed what I am trying to say ... you have confused the argument further by whinging about politicians ... and the (a)pathetic public ... and me. I will leave the speed camera debate aside because we have already discussed this enough lately.

Pollies may love nothing more than an apathetic public but running a close second would have to be the vocal complainants whose arguments are so easy to shoot holes in with political double-speak.

Simple counter-arguments to the points raised above (from a personal point of view - or what my research tells me):
. of the two green slips we have paid for since the change - one was cheaper, the other almost identical to last year
. in 1995 we had one road registered bike, now we have five ... and, fortunately, neither of us are dead
. motorcyclist fatalities probably have very little do do with CTP prices
. when we ride we take two bikes in lieu of one car and, yes, they use more fuel, more rubber and have shorter service intervals
. the government can't regulate on insurance company profits

If you believe all I do is whinge on forums that's fair enough but I have probably written to or spoken to more of my supposed elected representatives than most of you (really you can't be surprised by that). I doubt I will be with you on the 31st (I assume you WILL be there) because I still don't understand the point that is trying to be made ... and I need to earn money to pay for our 7 green slips

[DUCMONROB]

How about we do away with the political guff and just turn up on the day???

Who's in???

[gino]

ME

[monstermick58]

 

Waiting for a clear concise and irrefutable argument to me is like waiting for the return of Jesus to lead us to the promised land, in short, it ain't gunna happen.

The only way I can see is write your letter of protest, sign that petition and do the protest rally.

By all means go to work and earn your keep, its your right and privilege, to me, I think you sometimes have to sacrifice to ultimately make a gain




                                                     Mmick

[Betty]

Waiting for a clear concise and irrefutable argument to me is like waiting for the return of Jesus to lead us to the promised land, in short, it ain't gunna happen.

The only way I can see is write your letter of protest, sign that petition and do the protest rally.

Fair enough I will try to stop going on about it because obviously I am the only one that thinks the protest is a huge waste of everyone's time (including the politicians) if people don't actually know what they are protesting for or against ... I am one of those people.

[FIFO]

if people don't actually know what they are protesting for or against ... I am one of those people.

Your Perfect Betty For the rent a crowd mob.
 You can just come along to make up the numbers

ps Don't wear any conspicuous clothing like bright coloured leathers.
Will make it easier for the cops to pick you out of the crowd of trouble makers.

[monstermick58]

I have just recieved a response from the Motorcycle Council of NSW about the rally on the day. I asked about muster points and this was his reply, it appears that he knows me, I'm still trying to work out who ray is.

Quote;

MICK HELLO MICK RILEY long time no see or hear.There are no muster points ,just ride into the city.Parking is available in Hospital Rd.Hope to see you there,and we still do Bathurst.Ray    End Quote.


So, it seems there are a few of us that want to go, I dont know my way around Sydney that much, if anyone has an idea where to meet post up.





                             Mmick

[DUCMONROB]

What about Flywheels? Or McDonalds St Peters or something similar?

[Betty]

So the protest has come and gone, does anybody think it will do any good?






Excepting of course Mr Stoner's obvious grab for votes.

[cakeman]

Voices will be heard (not listened to), nothing at all will be done. Thats in my humble opinion.