Articles by Samantha Landy

An outright ban on using mobile phones while driving won't stop texting-addicted Victorians - it will simply make them try to hide their phone behind the wheel, the peak telecoms body says.

More than 18,000 cars were reported stolen in 2014, equating to less than 0.5 per cent of the 4.5 million cars registered, the latest crime statistics say.Almost four in 10 thieves were aged 15-19, and 83 per cent were male. Police said it was worrying that a growing number of youths inexperienced behind the wheel, or too young to hold full licences, were stealing cars in search of a thrill."(Stolen cars) are mostly used to commit offences of joy-riding and other dangerous driving," Victoria Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Jack Blayney said."There are an increasing number of young offenders stealing vehicles. Taking cars for joy rides (places) themselves, the community and police in severe danger." The Crime Statistics Agency's report, released last week, also revealed that car thefts had risen 11.5 per cent from 2013, to 16,686. That figure had jumped 16.5 per cent compared with five years ago.Mr Blayney said three in four stolen cars were recovered within a year. But more than 70 per cent of last year's thefts remained unsolved as of January 18, and there were arrests in just 16.5 per cent of cases.More Holdens were stolen than any other make of car, at almost 2800. Nissans (2634), Toyotas (2337) and Fords (2140) were also favoured.The Hume area recorded the most vehicle thefts with 1064, while Darebin's 951 thefts gave it the highest rate of theft for its population.University student Kate knows the sinking feeling of having a car stolen all too well.The 21-year-old, who works part-time in retail, had just finished a nine-hour shift at Chadstone shopping centre about a month ago when she returned to find her vehicle gone.The older-model Nissan Pulsar was later found dumped at Ringwood, more than 20km away - no longer in working order and with bald tyres.Kate has since spent thousands of dollars for repairs, and on a replacement car while it was fixed, as well as excesses on her car insurance.The theft occurred as she was preparing to resume her university studies, forcing her to hitch lifts from her family and friends."It's not really the nicest thing to come back to," Kate said. "There is the financial burden, of course, and then there is also just the complete inconvenience of it." 16,686 offences recorded by Victoria Police Up 11.5% on 201318,097 cars reported stolen11,090 stolen cars recovered12,119 thefts were unsolved Holdens the most commonly stolen make (2791)Hume council area recorded the highest number of vehicle thefts (1064)August had the most car thefts (1512)2751 thefts resulted in arrest361 thefts resulted in summons83% of offenders were male39% of offenders were aged 15-19Source: Crime Statistics Agency

The Wall Street Journal reported that General Motors had already decided to close its two troubled Australian plants. According to the newspaper, "people familiar with the auto maker's plans" have revealed that GM is 'preparing a concerted attack on its most troubled international operations", which is likely to end car production in Australia in about two years' time. The car giant reportedly also plans to slash production in South Korea by as much as 20 per cent, also by 2016. Economic challenges, including a strong Australian dollar and a shift to imports, are among the reasons believed to be putting pressure on GM's local arm. This morning, Holden boss Mike Devereux will make his first public appearance since a leak about a shutdown, delivering a final case to the Productivity Commission to save manufacturing operations. The public will be able to watch the proceedings at the commission's headquarters in Collins St, which are expected to last less than an hour. Central to Holden's argument is its claim that it generated $32.7 billion of economic activity in Australia from 2001 to 2012, including $21 billion paid to other businesses for goods and services. The Productivity Commission is due to publish a preliminary report on the car manufacturing industry on December 20, and a final report on March 31. The closure of Holden's car-making factory in Elizabeth, South Australia, is widely viewed by the Federal Government and industry observers as a formality. But Holden insists a formal decision has not been made.