It's not hard to see who the federal government listens to. In a contest between the nation's car dealers on one hand and several million consumers, the Productivity Commission and the Harper competition review on the other, the government is going with the dealers.

The Minister for Car Yards, Jamie Briggs (officially the assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development), has told the ABC the government is "not inclined" to allow the large-scale importation of second-hand cars, generally called "grey" imports.

The auto lobby has run a strong campaign against grey imports from the moment the government agreed to review the matter. Credit:Louie Douvis

The auto lobby has run a strong campaign against grey imports from the moment the government agreed to review the matter in light of one of the recommendations in the Productivity Commission's car industry review. There are plenty of car dealers with the ear of their local member, never mind the official industry body and the existing importers.

The industry has primarily attached its star to the "safety" banner – alleging that grey imports might be dodgy. Who would have thought it, dodgy second-hand-car dealers.