Thursday, 19 March 2026

 Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:59): (2439) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police regarding the surge in theft of motor vehicles. A recent investigation by Victoria Police suggests that more than 10,000 vehicles a year have been stolen using an onboard diagnostic device, known as an OBD. This is equivalent to around 30 vehicles stolen every single day, an alarming figure that reflects how widespread these techniques have become amongst offenders. Therefore I seek for the minister to provide detailed measures or strategies that the government is currently deploying or intends to deploy to prevent and combat the misuse of onboard diagnostic devices in the theft of motor vehicles. Authorities including Victoria Police and RACV have advised motorists to install OBD port locks, strengthen key security measures and use additional theft devices to deter vulnerability to technology-enabled theft. In spite of this, criminals continue to exploit the easy access of this device to override vehicle security systems, reprogram keys and rapidly steal target vehicles in seconds. OBD devices were originally developed to use within the motor vehicle industry to enable mechanics and technicians to diagnose faults and service vehicles. However, these devices are now being exploited by offenders to bypass vehicle security systems and clone keys. In spite of their legal availability, Victoria Police seized more than 800 of these devices from offenders last year, raising a serious question about why they remain so accessible given the growth of misuse. People rely on vehicles to get to work, take their children to school and carry out everyday responsibilities. They should not have to live in fear that their car could be stolen at any time simply because the offender can obtain and misuse technology designed for a legitimate purpose. I implore the minister to implement strategies and measures to address the rise in theft of motor vehicles with the misuse of onboard diagnostics devices.