ANCAP defends tough stance on safety ANCAP defends tough stance on safety January 29, 2021 Safety watchdog stands firm as car-makers question relevance of latest testing regime Australia’s independent crash safety authority says it will not back down from its five-stars-or-bust rhetoric any time soon, despite increasing criticism from car-makers. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) also believes the higher cost of new vehicles designed to qualify for a five-star rating should not be questioned because their inherent safety will save more lives. In a wide-ranging interview with carsales, newly-appointed ANCAP chief Carla Hoorweg said the organisation would continue its current charter as a relevant and important consumer advocate in the face of car-makers threatening to decrease support.