• Repairer ordered by SAT to pay total of $4,676 in fines and costs
• Failed to provide a police clearance as required by certificate condition
• Also failed to advise changes of address as required by law

Failing to comply with a condition attached to his certificate has resulted in a $3,000 fine and a reprimand for a Perth motor vehicle repairer.

The fine was imposed by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) on Shaun Derek Colin Bland of St James after he breached the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act. The Tribunal imposed the disciplinary sanctions against Mr Bland on 20 December 2022, following a hearing on 13 December 2022, which he failed to attend.  Mr Bland was also ordered to pay $1,676 in costs.

Consumer Protection began disciplinary action when Mr Bland failed to provide a National Police Clearance in 2020 and 2021, which was a condition of the approval of his repairer’s certificate application in April 2019. Mr Bland also failed on two occasions to advise Consumer Protection of a change of address which is a requirement of the Act.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said Mr Bland was clearly informed of his obligations when his registration was granted.

“Mr Bland’s failure to comply with the conditions of his certificate, and his statutory obligations as the holder of an authorisation, left us with no option but to take disciplinary action,” Ms Blake said.

“One of the main purposes of the licensing system is to ensure that only fit and proper people work in the motor vehicle repair industry, so providing police clearances is integral to that.

“It’s also important that our records are kept up-to-date so licensees and certificate holders need to advise us as soon as possible of any changes to their details, including addresses.

“The consequences of ignoring these obligations may not just result in a sanction and financial penalty, it can also put the person’s licence or certificate in jeopardy.”

Further information about motor vehicle repairers’ licensing can be found on the Consumer Protection website where online complaints can be lodged. Enquiries can be made by emailing consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au or calling 1300 30 40 54.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / cpmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au