2011 AGM questions and answers
Below are Members' most commonly asked questions at the NRMA AGM and the responses given to those questions by Wendy Machin, President of NRMA, at the AGM held at Australian Technology Park on 28 October 2011.
1. Why doesn't NRMA offer reduced Membership rates in the same way as insurance companies offer no-claims discounts?
This is a valid question, but it is important to remember that our roadside assistance is not an insurance product, but an emergency service that Members can rely on in times of need. In fact, many people consider NRMA’s roadside assistance in the same light as the fire brigade, ambulance, or police
Our patrols get nine-out-of every 10 vehicles back on the road within an average of 30 minutes. If that's not the best response rate in the world - it's certainly up there.
It's impossible to predict when there will be a sudden spike in calls from our Members - a flash storm in the western suburbs of Sydney could see calls for help increase dramatically. Predicting these types of increases in demand is impossible.
If the NRMA is to maintain that high level of service it's essential we have the right number of patrols on call 24 hours a day, to meet demand.
We also need to continuously reinvest in our patrols and call centre staff with training and equipment, to help ensure our Members are not waiting on the side of the road for one minute longer than they need to.
2. Why not spend the money NRMA invested in the "Seeing Red on Roads" campaign on better service and more patrols?
That's a fair question.
Why do we spend some $5Million every year on advocacy?
Remember that 91 years ago, NRMA was established as the voice for motorists.
Our research today tells us that after roadside assistance what you want us to spend your membership fees on is still that: being your voice on motoring issues.
To deliver results in advocating for you, we need the right skills and resources. We need staff with expertise in the fields of safety, economics, and community affairs. We conduct research and produced reports to guide community debate and bring about change in government policy.
And we need resources to run grass roots community campaigns that mobilise our Members around the type of causes that are so important to all motorists.
The results show that it was money well spent. Over the last 12 months, our work in standing up for you has delivered some outstanding results for motorists.
In March this year, NSW voters went to the polls. It was one of the most important state elections in decades. Roads and transport had to be the centre piece of the election for both parties. And the NRMA saw it as our job to make it happen, so we launched our Seeing Red on Roads campaign which asked you to have your say.
Over 10,000 motorists voted for their most frustrating road.
The NRMA tallied up the results, and launched a massive grass roots campaign to make sure both parties knew how important it was that they fix the roads.
By the end of the campaign, every candidate knew that if elected, their constituents expected them to make roads a priority - and that they did.
The Coalition won the election and their first budget released in September contained a record $5.4 billion for roads - a massive increase of $700 million on the year before.
3. NRMA Insurance
NRMA received a large number of questions relating to discounts on premiums.
It is important to note that NRMA Motoring & Services and NRMA Insurance are two separate companies.
NRMA Motoring & Services’ Members may get up to 15 per cent off their insurance costs with NRMA Insurance, depending on the number and type of insurance policies that they hold. However, matters relating to insurance products should be addressed by NRMA Insurance, which is owned by IAG.
4. What is NRMA is doing about speed cameras?
For some time, the NRMA has been calling for an audit of fixed speed cameras in NSW to ensure they were providing a safety benefit on our roads.
We were pleased when the NSW Government obliged. And I think we all agree it was long overdue.
The Government turned off 38 cameras deemed to be providing little safety value on our roads.
It was the strongest message yet, that these cameras are not just about revenue raising - they must be there to enhance road safety.
5. Why are there so many changes in speed limits where they don’t seem to be justified?
One of the biggest bug-bears for Members is the frequent speed zone changes that occur on our roads.
How many times have we driven on a highway, sometimes even passed a speed camera without being aware what the actual speed limit was - because it has changed so many times?
We took this frustration to the Government on your behalf, and they have conducted a review of some of the state’s busiest highways.
The final report is scheduled soon... but the Government has already simplified 20 speed zone changes, making it easier for motorists to stick to the speed limit.
6. What is NRMA doing to advocate for a more reasonable demerits points system?
Since the demerit point system was introduced in NSW in the 1960s the technology and the means used to catch drivers doing the wrong thing, has increased considerably, but the demerit points system, have not.
That's why the NRMA went to the previous NSW Government with a proposal to increase the number of points on a full licence from 12 to 13; and 14 for professional drivers.
The Government listened, and the NRMA won a sensible victory for all motorists - and particularly our BusinessWise Members.
7. What is NRMA doing about petrol prices and fuel security?
The issue of petrol pricing and fuel security remain a high priority for the NRMA.
Since our first Alternative Fuel Summit in 2006, we've led the charge for a national alternative fuel strategy to end our dependence on oil.
If we do nothing, our fuel imports will cripple the nation with a $25 billion trade deficit within five years.
Our view is that we need to produce more of our own bio-fuels here at home, and make the most of the advances in electric vehicle technology.
To build on this work, we took an electric vehicle roadshow right across NSW and the ACT a few months ago.
Members who attended these events got a chance to drive and ride the electric cars and bikes of the future.
It was great fun, but also an innovative way to get the public, and indeed government, thinking about this important issue again.
8. What are you doing to help older drivers?
One of the greatest challenges Australia will face is the ageing of our population...and with this, a whole new set of challenges around mobility.
Right now 14 per cent of the population is aged over 65.
In 2031, it will be more than one-fifth - or two million people in NSW.
If you're over 75 now, you have to get the annual OK from your doctor to keep your licence.
So your whole life can change after a 15 minute appointment with your GP if you're told you can no longer drive.
We believe keeping people mobile longer is important for our Members and indeed the nation, and this year we set about getting the public talking about what needs to be done.
After our highly successful Ageing Summit in Sydney last year, we conducted a number of forums in towns across NSW and the ACT.
We invited local NRMA Members and community groups to come together and talk about the issues they faced in staying mobile once they could no longer drive.
One of the really big issues to come out of our forums was the need to better fund and promote community transport services that are helping to keep our communities connected in towns and suburbs across NSW.
The NRMA has given the government a number of inexpensive but effective solutions that will help keep our population mobile, for longer.
