Editing NRMA (section)

==History==

===Early history===
====National Roads Association====
[[Image:NRMA Motoring and Services- 1920-1950 - Flickr - NRMA New Cars.jpg|thumb|NRMA-endorsed new car dealer in [[Tumut]], from a 2005 exhibition.]]
The Australian National Roads Association, which would become the NRMA, was launched in 1920. Its original aim was not to provide road service or insurance, but to obtain "reasonable and just legislation" to fund and improve roads.<ref name=Brooham>{{cite book|last=Brooham|first=Rosemary|title=On the road: The NRMA's first seventy-five years|date=1996|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=1-86448-008-4}}</ref>
 
The early 1900s brought the arrival of motorised road transport and car and truck use were gaining popularity. The government was placed under pressure to improve roads as competition increased with railways.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Queensland's roads (Department of Transport and Main Roads) |url=https://sc-tmrwcmgr-cd.azurewebsites.net/Community-and-environment/Research-and-education/Heritage-centre/History-of-queensland-roads |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=sc-tmrwcmgr-cd.azurewebsites.net |language=en}}</ref> The 1919 Local Government Act<ref>Local Government Act 1919, No. 41 (austlii.edu.au)</ref> left all decisions to local councils, where decisions were made "from the point of view of the local utility."

The 1950s heralded the beginning of a huge surge in the number of cars on Australian roads, and NRMA membership increased in kind. It hit one million members in the 1970s, and by the late 1980s, that number had doubled.<ref name=Brooham/>

====Role of the RACA====
The [[Royal Automobile Club of Australia]] (RACA) had been campaigning for better roads since its creation. The club had initiated a Good Roads Association in 1912.

The National Roads Association aimed to become a broader and stronger pressure group with the same objectives as RACA, and it received full support from the latter. RACA's President, WJ McKinney, and DM Cooper, the chairman of RACA's Roads and Tours committee, were among the provisional committee members when the Association was formally established on 4 February 1920.

====Creation of NRMA and continued RACA involvement====
[[File:NRMABadge.jpg|thumb|upright|NRMA hood ornament on a 1930s [[Rolls-Royce Phantom]]]]
Former prime minister [[Chris Watson]] became NRA president in 1920 and served until his death in 1941. The National Roads Association was restructured as the National Roads and Motorists' Association at the beginning of 1924. With a goal strikingly similar to that of RACA, it positioned the NRMA as a competitor as much as a collaborator, particularly when it began to employ its own road service "guides". These returned servicemen "of exemplary character" patrolled specific areas, including the popular beaches of [[Coogee, New South Wales|Coogee]], [[Bondi Beach]] and [[Bronte, New South Wales|Bronte]], or were based at congested spots on the roads out of the city where they could receive messages by phone or relayed by other motorists.<ref name=Brooham/>

The NRMA attended a 1925 meeting convened by RACA on traffic regulations. Together with other motoring lobby groups, they resolved to draft suggested reforms. Particular concerns included the need for a special traffic court, and a change to the "plethora of danger signs" that had appeared in the streets, accompanied by "frequently incomprehensible signals of police" at intersections. As an alternative to the red triangle placed by police at danger spots.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

====Launch of NRMA Insurance====
[[File:National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) of NSW Member Car Badges obverse, 90 and 75mm diameters.jpg|thumb|upright|NRMA badges]]
By 1925, NRMA had 7,637 members, nearly double the previous year's. In that year NRMA formed NRMA Insurance, which also became a sub-agency of [[Lloyd's of London]], and offered new household policies in addition to motoring insurance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lloyd's: The view from the top |url=https://www.investsmart.com.au/investment-news/lloyds-the-view-from-the-top/68066 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=InvestSMART |language=en}}</ref>

The NRMA is now [[Australia]]-wide with the exception of [[Victoria (state)|Victoria.]] <ref>https://www.nrma.com.au/</ref>

====MyNRMA====
NRMA is a member-owned mutual organisation. In 2024, MyNRMA provided roadside assistance to over 2.8 million members in NSW.  Outside NSW, service to MyNRMA members from NSW is provided by the other state-based motoring clubs such as RACV, RACQ and RAA.  Likewise, when members from other states visit NSW MyNRMA provides roadside assistance to them.  MyNRMA provides a range of discounts exclusive to members on products and services including roadside assistance, car servicing, car loans, driver training, batteries, and windscreen replacement.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mynrma.com.au/about# | title=About }}</ref>

====Relationship with RACA====

When [[World War II]] began, it followed the RACA's early lead in forming the NRMA Transport Auxiliary. This force of 500 drivers would provide rapid troop transport if required. Staff member, Miss K. Broadbent, organised a Women's Auxiliary Transport Corps which trained 506 women to drive more complex vehicles such as trucks, ambulances and motorcycles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Then and Now: Women on the move |url=https://www.mynrma.com.au/company/centenary/then-and-now/women-on-the-move |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.mynrma.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

At the end of the war, RACA made the decision to cease its road service operations. The NRMA's growth had made its competing operations considerably wider in scope and reach. RACA's members were served by an agreement with the NRMA whereby RACA membership included entitlement to full NRMA services.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.raca.com.au/web/pages/home?p_p_id=com_liferay_blogs_web_portlet_BlogsAgreggatorPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_com_liferay_blogs_web_portlet_BlogsAgreggatorPortlet_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Fblogs_aggregator%2Fview&_com_liferay_blogs_web_portlet_BlogsAgreggatorPortlet_delta=10&_com_liferay_blogs_web_portlet_BlogsAgreggatorPortlet_resetCur=false&_com_liferay_blogs_web_portlet_BlogsAgreggatorPortlet_cur=2# | title=Home }}</ref>

====Demutualisation====

NRMA Insurances' financial success had led to a huge accumulation of surplus funds which could not be distributed back to members and was attractive to outside interests. Insurance premium rebates to members had the effect of artificially and harmfully deflating the price of NRMA's insurance products{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

After years of discussion and acrimony, NRMA Insurance Limited was demutualised in August 2000 and was separated from the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited. NRMA Insurance Limited later changed its name to [[Insurance Australia Group]].<ref>https://www.iag.com.au/about-us/what-we-do</ref>

====Separate paths====
[[File:Ocean Flyer, Circular Quay, 2017 (02).jpg|thumb|[[Manly Fast Ferry]]]]
NRMA remains a mutual company owned by its members. Insurance Australia Group is a listed company owned by its shareholders. It has a number of operating subsidiaries using the NRMA brand, including NRMA Insurance Limited, as well as a number of other insurance and related brands.

During 2004 and 2005, the NRMA, in a joint venture agreement with JF Meridian Trust, acquired the [[Travelodge Australia]] chain of hotels in Australia.<ref>{{cite press release | title = NRMA invests in Travelodge hotel group | publisher =NRMA| date = 31 December 2004 | url = http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F5768EC-1435357F/mynrma/hs.xsl/2004_050106.htm | access-date = 28 June 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927025527/http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F5768EC-1435357F/mynrma/hs.xsl/2004_050106.htm | archive-date = 27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was sold in 2021.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210723081224/https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/salter-brothers-buys-travelodge-portfolio-for-record-620m-20210723-p58cdw Salter Brothers buys Travelodge portfolio for record $620m] ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' 23 July 2021</ref>

In September 2006, the NRMA purchased a 75% shareholding in the Australian [[Thrifty Car Rental]] franchise from [[Mitsubishi Motors Australia]].<ref>{{cite press release | title = Thrifty Australia Acquired in Joint Venture Purchase | publisher = NRMA | date = 2 August 2006 | url = http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/2860.htm?cpssessionid=SID-3F5768EC-A2DFF84D | access-date = 28 June 2007 }}</ref> The deal was highlighted in the media and in NSW Parliament<ref>Hansard extract, NSW Legislative Council, 19 September 2006, page 75 (article 46)</ref> as potentially involving conflict of interest with the board member Gary Punch. In December 2008, the NRMA acquired the remaining 25% shareholding in Thrifty.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231021201445/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nrma-purchase-of-thrifty-under-scrutiny-20090225-8hzi.html NRMA purchase of Thrifty under scrutiny] ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 26 February 2009</ref> In 2021 the Thrifty franchise was relinquished and the NRMA became a [[Sixt]] franchisee.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210213081103/https://www.afr.com/street-talk/nrma-hires-greenhill-for-thrifty-deals-20210203-p56z08 NRMA hires Greenhill for Thrifty deals] ''Australian Financial Review'' 3 February 2021</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220216065220/https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Transportation/Car/Sixt-Takes-Big-Stake-in-Australia-via-NRMA-Partnership Sixt Takes Big Stake in Australia via NRMA Partnership] ''Business Travel News'' 8 December 2021</ref>

It has also continued to grow its travel and holiday operations by investing in tourist parks, and in January 2007, acquired a major stake in the travel wholesaler Adventure World.<ref>{{cite press release | title = NRMA acquires travel wholesaler | publisher =NRMA| date = 24 January 2007 | url = http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/4010.htm?cpssessionid=SID-3F5768EC-36846649 | access-date = 28 June 2007 }}</ref> In March 2021, it was announced that the NRMA had purchased the Tasmanian tourism assets of the [[Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania]] (RACT) including Cradle Mountain Hotel, Freycinet Lodge, Gordon River Cruises and Strahan Village to be operated under the NRMA Expeditions brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Lisa |date=23 March 2021 |title=NRMA on Tasmainian resort buying spree |url=https://www.themercury.com.au/business/nrma-on-tasmainian-resort-buying-spree/news-story/76ed2000416b63fa8eed4b9e22fc033e |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]}}</ref> In November 2022, the NRMA acquired Pumphouse Point, located in the [[Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park]], to also be operated under the NRMA Expeditions brand in Tasmania.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Wilmot |first1=Ben |last2=Petty |first2=Sarah |date=15 November 2022 |title=Tasmania's picturesque 'Pumphouse Point' bought by motoring body the NRMA |url=https://www.themercury.com.au/business/tasmanias-picturesque-pumphouse-point-bought-by-motoring-body-the-nrma/news-story/82b261e377dc145f9758e8838e97a60b |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]}}</ref>

In 2017 the NRMA purchased [[Manly Fast Ferry]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201208111832/https://www.mynrma.com.au/centenary/then-and-now/the-history-of-manly-fast-ferry The history of Manly Fast Ferry] NRMA</ref>

==== EV ==== 
In 2012 the NRMA opened free public charging stations for electric vehicles in Sydney (fast charger) and Canberra. They also undertook electric vehicle roadshows to help raise awareness, and also trialled one of the first electric vehicles as roadside assistance vehicles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sixt.com.au/electric-vehicle-rental/ | title=Electric Vehicle Hire with SIXT Car Rental - Sixt Car rental }}</ref>

====Criticism====
In 2008 the NRMA was criticised for its anti-[[Segregated cycle facilities|cycleway]] stance. [[Lord Mayor of Sydney]], [[Clover Moore]], said the NRMA, like big petroleum companies, has a vested interest in campaigning for car use.<ref name="SMH_Clover">{{cite news |first=Clover |last=Moore |author-link=Clover Moore |title=Cycling the way to go in this overcrowded city |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/cycling-the-way-to-go-in-this-overcrowded-city/2008/01/10/1199554826137.html |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=11 January 2008  }}</ref> [[Greens New South Wales|Greens]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Lee Rhiannon]] said the NRMA has an anti-cycleway agenda. Said Rhiannon: "The NRMA's anti-cycleway campaign is a crude attempt to boost money for road building. It's time the NRMA leadership came into the 21st century and recognised that encouraging more cyclists is an easy way to reduce road congestion." Rhiannon accused the NRMA of using misleading statistics in its campaign.<ref name="SMH_dangerous">{{cite news |first=Alexandra |last=Smith |title=Bike lanes dangerous, cyclists warn |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bike-lanes-dangerous-cyclists-warn/2008/01/10/1199554832979.html |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=11 January 2008  }}</ref>