Page 5816 - Week 18 - Tuesday, 10 December 1991
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entirely desirable. For gross breaches of the law, mandatory suspension of licence, such as they also have in New South Wales, might be considered as well. The maximum penalty in New South Wales is $526 and a three months' compulsory suspension of licence. That is something that could be considered here if breaches of the rules of the road in Canberra continue to be a problem.
I think the Minister can be criticised, however, for increasing on-the-spot fines for other road breaches by only $5. On-the-spot fines will rise from $130 to $135 in some instances, and from $80 to $85 in others. Traffic infringement notices cover some other pretty serious breaches of the rules of the road. From my experience in the courts I know of the very nasty injuries caused by people going through red traffic lights, for example. That, to me, is as serious an offence as going between 30 and 45 kilometres per hour over the speed limit. The Government might like to look at whether some of the penalties for other traffic offences can be increased to bring us more into line with the States.
This Bill does address part of the problem. It is good to see that the Government at least appreciates the need for some deterrence as far as minor traffic offences go. It might like to extend this approach to some other offences, both traffic and criminal, and insert more appropriate penalties in our statutes. Certainly, this Bill is a step in the right direction and has the support of the Liberal Party.
MRS NOLAN (8.08): Mr Speaker, I will be brief. I think the Bill is a step in the right direction. I support it. Current speeding fines are not adequate. I am pleased to see the fine for 30 to 45 kilometres per hour over the speed limit being increased to $250 and the fine for 45 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit being increased to $500. I think the new penalties are much more appropriate.
I applaud the fact that penalties may now be changed by regulation rather than by legislation. Of course, the Legislative Assembly would maintain scrutiny. The power to increase fines by regulation is very important, particularly as New South Wales, which geographically surrounds us, and Victoria follow that path. This will bring us more into line with State legislation. Mr Speaker, for some offences we could have increased fines even further, but this Bill goes some way to addressing the situation. It brings us more into line with the States, and I think it is a step in the right direction.
MR MOORE (8.10): Mr Speaker, there is definitely some advantage in increasing the expiation fees to bring us into line with the States and in increasing the fine for people who exceed the speed limit by 45 kilometres an hour or more. I accept what the Minister said when he introduced the Bill and what other speakers have said.
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