Page 140 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 12 February 2020
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These situations are all too common in everyday life. Unfortunately, no-one runs on time all the time. When these situations pop up, they can often impact our most vulnerable the most: pensioners, students, people of low socio-economic status. I know that they can access payment plans, but all too often people do not. For those doing it tough, parking fines can break the bank. That can cause anxiety and stress.
Ms Le Couteur likes to bring the discussion back to the idea of tying fines to people’s incomes. We have had that debate. This proposal can alleviate some of the issues that she has raised. I understand that it does not solve all of them, but it is one piece of the puzzle.
To the wider points that the Canberra Liberals raised, providing enough parking spaces for the general public is an important part of city planning. We need to be cognisant of how transport options change and our responsibilities to the climate. But, as Minister Ramsay so well pointed out, it is often a balancing act. Sometimes you need more enforcement; sometimes you need less. That is evidenced by a lot of the correspondence that people have brought forward.
To say that this government is failing is just false. Parking infringement notices should remain a deterrent to members of our community that want to abuse the system and overstay their welcome in our car parks. However, I do not think that those who are trying to do the right thing should be a target.
I am conscious that, as Minister Ramsay has alluded to, our parking inspectors too often experience abuse as they go about doing their job. I want to put on the record that that abuse is wrong. No-one should cop a serve at work. The situation can be exacerbated by a fine being handed out within 10 minutes of someone’s car parking expiring. This would be one step to help alleviate those situations of conflict. I do not think you can ever get rid of that circumstance, but hopefully we can reduce it, as it is never okay.
At its most simple, this motion calls on the government to investigate an approach that would make parking a bit less stressful for Canberrans. I think our community wants to see this. I think all members of this Assembly would like to see this implemented. Let us get it done.
Ms Le Couteur’s amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Leave of absence
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to:
That leave of absence be granted to Ms Cody for today due to illness.
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