The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has backed the state government's decision to legislate against cash payments for scrap vehicles.
Victoria is said to be the vehicle theft capital of Australia according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC).
This has been a key factor in the government's decision, as the crime rate involving auto theft has risen by 34 percent over the last 12 months.
According to recent figures from the NMVTRC, 347 vehicles are stolen every week in the state of Victoria, 97 of which are never recovered.
The Victorian Government believe the removal of cash payments will act as a deterrent toward this.
VACC executive director Geoff Gwilym support the Andrew's Government's decision, drawing attention to the recent spate of violent carjackings in the state.
“Victoria has been experiencing a crime wave of violent carjackings and home invasions in order to steal vehicle keys, with the intention of then stealing vehicles, many of which are stripped down or scrapped by illegal operators.
“VACC congratulates the Andrews Government on this sound policy announcement, which will be very meaningful to all Victorians. Hopefully, law abiding citizens will now feel, and be, safer in their communities as, of course, they should be.”