Page 2494 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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In closing, Mr Speaker, let me reiterate that the Rally will be supporting this particular amending Bill, with the appropriate comments in relation to the responsibilities of the Government to encourage disabled people to ensure that they are able to participate in the use of this facility in the ACT.
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education) (4.26): Mr Speaker, I am pleased to support this amendment to the Motor Traffic Act. In my view, this is quite a significant step in recognising the very legitimate rights that disabled people have to enjoy life on the same basis as their more able-bodied friends and other members of the community. There can be no doubt that attitudes towards disabled members of the community have changed greatly since the Motor Traffic Act was originally prepared.
Many of our attitudes were, of course, challenged during the international year of the disabled a few years ago. It is clear that that occasion served as a catalyst to bring many attitudes into a more positive and sensible position. Technology has also made significant advances since the Act was written and we now see motorised wheelchairs being used as an everyday occurrence. Most of us, I am sure, take for granted a person's right to operate a wheelchair in those areas where the rest of us go freely.
This Bill ensures that today's more enlightened attitudes about disabled individuals - their rights to mobility and enjoyment of life - and today's technology are matched with the law. It ensures that individuals do not have to break the law just to lead a life which is normal. I know that there has been no effort to enforce the law as it stands, but that is not good enough. Law-makers need to ensure that the community is protected by the law, not by the discretion of those whose duty it is to enforce the law. This Bill ensures that the wishes of the community are properly reflected in legislation and that disabled people do not have to break any law simply to go down the street.
MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services) (4.28), in reply: I am pleased at the generous support given by the Assembly to this Bill, which looks at streamlining the Motor Traffic Act of 1936 to ensure that disabled persons travelling in motorised wheelchairs may legally travel on footpaths and in public places in the ACT. It is important for these people and means that all sections of the community have equal access to Canberra's lovely parks, foreshores and pathways, without any discrimination or fear of retribution through unknowingly breaking the law.
This Bill ensures that those in our community who need motorised wheelchairs to travel will be accorded the same rights and privileges as other members of the community. Mr Jensen wondered whether users of motorised wheelchairs would come under the same obligations, really, as cyclists. You have to go at a certain speed, Mr Jensen, before you
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