Statement from NRMA CEO Rob Carter: <i>The Open Road</i>

Today's Sydney Morning Herald article (Free ride on the Open Road etc 1/11/02) regarding the future of the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (NRMA) member magazine, The Open Road , is inaccurate in several respects.
The Sydney Morning Herald journalist was advised a commercial
and in-confidence expression of interest is being conducted into
The Open Road to explore opportunities to increase revenues
and to reduce expenses. We also advised the journalist the purpose
and process of the expression of interest has been communicated to
the Board at each Board meeting.There has been
no deal negotiated by NRMA management.
Rather the reverse, I have commissioned an independent external
audit into the expression of interest process to ensure that
correct protocols and procedures have been observed. Until that
audit is completed the expression of interest process will be held
in abeyance. Most recently the Board was advised that, following the report
of the external auditors, the expression of interest process would
be concluded with the short-list invited to present to the Board
for a Board decision.No decision has been taken.The Sydney Morning Herald article has the potential to do
considerable damage to the staff of
The Open Road as well as to the many commercial commitments
that
The Open Road has with its advertisers and business
partners.We at the NRMA are passionate about
The Open Road and the iconic status it enjoys with our
members and the publishing world.
The Open Road brand will be fiercely protected and
promoted.