You don't have to be a farmer to live in the bush or use roads regularly that wreck normal family cars. Exempting farmers is a start...but for every farmer there would be another three road users in country areas that own 4wd drives that would be classified as luxury vehicles.

We are also talking about family vehicles that are not claimable for farm or business use.

Re the above comment: potential purchasers should have to prove, by way of evidence of address etc that the purchaser is a bonefide country dweller. Otherwise the sale of these gas-guzzling, dangerous, vehicles must stop all together for city dwellers, the vast majority of whom never venture away from city roads, local schools and shopping centre car parks. There can be no more self-indulgent, arrogant, purchase for these people than an ‘SUV’ and I predict the day will come that these cars and their owners will be regarded as the epitome of environmental and social irresponsibility, as they already are among thinking Australians and environmentalists.

To Diana (previous post) - you are a bit narrow minded.

These vehicles are available for sale so people will buy them regardless and the luxury car tax applies to sedans as well anyway not just SUVs.

Anyone who tows a caravan or travels at all to country areas is a whole lot safer with an SUV. You have obviously not hit a roo with a normal car.

Also, I have a daughter who was passenger in a car accident in a small car in Perth. Because there is no weight with these, it stopped so suddenly at 40kph that the seatbelt broke her back and caused serious internal injuries, a very common occurrence.

SUVs don't have the deadly acceleration and top speed of many cars today but do have all the safety features.

So before you call people like me arrogant, do some proper research.

There are a few who live in the city and have these vehicles for no particular reason but most have them for safety, room, handling on rough roads, towing ability and longevity.

So thanks to the government for easing the luxury tax burden.

Farmers generally need to drive on rough roads, but they are not the only ones who use these roads.

Mail carriers, people that work in the bush and stock and station agents and the average joe who works in the bush.

I totally agree with Dianna, but people in the bush can't economically run without a 4wd.

I agree completely with Alan's comments.

Re Diana's comment, note that a modern 4WD diesel is more economical than are standard family sedans.

They also have better visibility than many sedans and are very safe.

Maybe those city dwellers just need a better designed sedan that has the best attributes of the 4WD, without the strictly country bits!

Finally some common sense. It must be so embarrasing for farming families showing up at the Kings School or Geelong Grammer in last year's 4WD.

Joe you are neither funny or original. Just another one-eyed victorian.