Miles Government commits to extension and statewide expansion of nation-leading secondary engine immobiliser scheme

• The Miles Labor Government will expand the immobiliser trial state-wide from 2025
• The Miles Government will extend the deadline for the existing engine immobiliser trial in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, from 30 September 2024 to 31 December 2024
• These commitments build upon the fifth pillar or the Miles Government’s Community Safety Plan for Queensland; ‘Preventing crime before it occurs’

The Miles Government will extend the deadline of the existing secondary engine immobiliser trial in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, from 30 September 2024 to 31 December 2024.

In addition, the Miles Labor Government will expand the immobiliser trial statewide from next year.

This commitment includes a $15 million investment to fund up to 20,000 new immobiliser vouchers.

The voucher can fully offset the cost of an immobiliser device’s purchase and installation.

Police advise that early evidence from the Vehicle Immobiliser Trial indicates the trial has been very successful.

The Queensland Police Service advises that there have been no reports of a vehicle fitted with an immobiliser being stolen.

In fact, police advise there have been several instances where an immobiliser has prevented vehicle theft.

Extending the deadline for the current trial, as well as expanding the trial to new areas, will enable more Queenslanders to access this cutting-edge crime prevention technology.

The latest data from the Queensland Police Service indicates that this and other initiatives under the Community Safety Plan for Queensland are working. Within the trial areas we have seen (comparing July to June 2022-23 vs 2023-24):

• A 22% decrease in Unlawful entry offences in the Far North District (including Cairns).
• A 18% decrease in Unlawful use of a motor vehicle (UUMV) offences in the Far North District (including Cairns).
• A 16% decrease in Unlawful entry offences in the Townsville District.
• A 1% decrease in Unlawful use of a motor vehicle (UUMV) offences in the Townsville District.
• A 9% decrease in Unlawful entry offences in the Mount Isa District.
• A 14% decrease in UUMV offences in the Mount Isa District.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Ever since becoming Premier, I have done what matters to deliver the police personnel, the resources, the laws, and the initiatives that will support community safety.

“Police tell us our nation-leading immobiliser trial is showing real signs of success.

“It makes perfect sense to not only extend the deadline of the existing trial,  but to plan for the trial’s expansion across the rest of the state.

“This will ensure that Queenslanders can benefit from this technology no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:

“I always had great confidence that the trial of immobilisers could prove successful, and the advice from police is that it has.

“Extending the deadline of the trial from September to December will give more people in Cairns and Townsville and Mount Isa the opportunity to have a device fitted to their vehicle.

“We are committed to expanding the immobiliser trial across the state so that even more people can take advantage of the government’s subsidised immobiliser scheme.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Police Union President Shane Prior:

“The QPU initiated the concept of a secondary immobiliser trial with the Government and it’s delivered evidence beyond expectations. The reality is the disruption, cost and danger of vehicles being stolen has been eliminated.

“The further expansion of the trial will open up the opportunity for more Queenslanders no matter where they live to have an immobiliser device installed, often cost free. I’m confident the additional data will further reflect the success of this program.

“The evidence is now there for the Federal Government to expand this scheme nationally or mandate the devices as a manufacturing standard for vehicles sold in Australia.

“I thank Police Minister Ryan for backing our advocacy and supporting the trial. It’s confirmation good ideas and a different approach can make a difference in the lives of Queenslanders.” 

Further information:

The State Labor Government made a $10 million investment into an Engine Immobiliser Subsidy Trial to supply up to 20,000 engine immobilisers for residents in Mt Isa, Cairns and Townsville.

This initiative, initially proposed to conclude on 30 June 2024, was extended to 30 September 2024.

We are now extending this trial further, to 31 December 2024, and committing to commencing a new stage of the trial, with a state-wide expansion in 2025.

ENDS