Page 2491 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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place at the steering committee's meeting in Melbourne. It is worth while for our representatives at that meeting to be able to report the unanimous support of this legislature to the approach in relation to the MFP. That is of great value. I thank the Assembly for its support.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MOTOR TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL (NO. 3) 1989
Debate resumed from 28 September 1989, on motion by Mrs Grassby:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MRS NOLAN (4.16): Mr Speaker, at the outset I would like to say that the Liberal Party will be supporting this amending Bill. It welcomes the Government removing the anomaly currently in the Motor Traffic Act which technically defines wheelchairs as motor vehicles and therefore does not allow them to travel on footpaths.
I am pleased to see that the national road traffic code, which provides guidelines for the States and territories, has been taken into consideration on this matter. I am also pleased to see any legislation which removes such discrimination against those very special people with disabilities in our community. I was amazed that such legislation had not been introduced long ago. Such a lot is said today about discrimination.
I am also concerned that there is other legislation that needs amendment to remove such discriminatory practices against the disabled in our community. While I recognise that, as the Minister said, the existing law has not been enforced, it is important that all laws in place be enforced, and in this particular case this Bill will clearly be of benefit.
Mr Speaker, I do not think a lot needs to be said. As I mentioned earlier, the Liberal Party will be supporting the amending Bill. It is a straightforward Bill and I am sure all parties will vote to allow its passage.
MR WOOD (4.18): Mr Speaker, this Bill is no minor matter. The amendment to the Motor Traffic Act will allow people using motorised wheelchairs to travel on footpaths without fear of being penalised for committing an offence. It may seem of no great moment but it does express principles that are very important. Those principles are concern, support and equity for the disabled.
At present, as we know, no distinction is made between a motorised wheelchair and motor vehicles under the Motor Traffic Act. This is because a motor vehicle is defined as a vehicle that uses spirit or steam, gas, oil, electricity
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