Page 845 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 24 February 2009
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Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee
Scrutiny report 3
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra): I present the following report:
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee (performing the duties of a Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee)—scrutiny report 3, dated 23 February 2009, together with the relevant minutes of proceedings.
I seek leave to make a brief statement.
Leave granted.
MRS DUNNE: Scrutiny report 3 contains the committee’s comments on two bills and 40 pieces of subordinate legislation, and six government responses. The report was circulated to members when the Assembly was not sitting. I commend the report to the Assembly.
Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (No 2)
Debate resumed from 11 December 2008, on motion by Mr Stanhope:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (10.08): I rise to speak on the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (No 2). This bill will amend the Road Transport (Safety and Management) Act 1999. The Canberra Liberals are committed to an efficient and sustainable road transport system in the ACT.
Like in most places in the world, road transport is critical for our economy. As a landlocked jurisdiction, we are heavily dependent upon ground transport for the movement of goods. The correct management of the network is critical for thousands of jobs and the city’s livelihood. Part of an effective system is protecting the safety of users. Under the current rules, if a person whose licence is suspended continues to drive and incurs further demerit points that warrant a suspension or cancellation, they are not notified of this until the end of their current suspension. Under the new rules they will be notified immediately of the new suspension or cancellation. The opposition supports this improvement.
The bill will require the Road Transport Authority to send a notice to a person if they incur enough demerit points to warrant a suspension or notification. That notice will tell them that if they are already under suspension there will be an additional period of suspension or cancellation. This back-to-back sentencing will mean that if there are enough demerit points for another period of suspension or cancellation it cannot be served concurrently.
This new notice requirement will enable affected drivers to make appropriate plans about their future. It may also provide, as the minister said in his speech introducing
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