Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1796 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

imported vehicles, hot rods and highly modified vehicles, will also require a government inspection. Maximum inspection fees will be set for all inspections. These include $30 for cars and motorcycles and $22 for trailers. By setting a maximum fee, the owner of authorised premises will have the choice of charging a lower fee, if desired. Annual fees for the authorisation of premises and examiners have been introduced to help offset the costs of administering the new arrangements. The changes to the Act make it easier to have a vehicle inspection performed, but reinforce the requirements that vehicles be maintained in a safe condition. Mr Speaker, I commend the Bill to the house.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

MR KAINE (Minister for Urban Services) (10.53): Mr Speaker, I present the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Bill (No. 4) 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR KAINE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, this Bill proposes changes to the Motor Traffic Act 1936. These changes specifically deal with parking for people with disabilities and parking in loading zones. I will speak first about the changes affecting parking arrangements for people with disabilities. In July 1996, my department released a discussion paper on parking for people with disabilities, following a comprehensive public consultation process. The recommendations of the discussion paper have the overwhelming support of the organisations and individuals who commented on that paper. The recommendations are now reflected in this Bill.

In addition to existing entitlements, the Bill confers many additional benefits, which I will now outline. Firstly, and most significantly, the amendments allow people with a disability to park free, for varying lengths of time, in any government-operated parking space. If the posted time limit is 30 minutes or less, people with a disability will be able to park for up to two hours. They will be able to park for an unlimited time if the posted time is more than 30 minutes. This change increases the parking options for people with disabilities and should mean that signposted "Class B - Disabled Parking" spaces will be freed up for use by more severely mobility-impaired people.

The amendments also provide for the label to be issued in the name of the person rather than the vehicle. This change eliminates unnecessary red tape and provides more flexible transport options, as people with a disability will no longer be limited to the use of a specific, nominated vehicle. It also means that carers or volunteers can transport people with a disability in any vehicle, providing that the person they are transporting has been issued with a label. Labels will continue to be issued free of charge, but will be issued for

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .