Page 962 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 31 March 1993
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I present this Bill in the hope that the Labor Party honours its commitment to the tenants of small business in the ACT and the Liberal Party honours its oft stated support for small business and commercial tenants as well. In presenting the Bill, I point out to members that I am quite happy, during the period it sits on the table, for members to suggest modifications. Perhaps members can sit down together and see whether modifications are necessary and can be agreed on. I hope that this Assembly of only 17 members can work together in the best interests of small business in this town, which everybody suggests they are committed to doing. I commend the Bill to the house.
Debate (on motion by Mr Connolly) adjourned.
MOTOR TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
MR STEVENSON (11.08), by leave: I present the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Bill 1993.
Title read by Clerk.
MR STEVENSON: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Madam Speaker, no armoured car hold-up has ever occurred in the ACT. Unfortunately, such is not the situation in most other States in Australia. When you look at the fact that the average armoured car hold-up gains about $90,000 compared to some $400 for a service station, one can understand the attraction to criminals. It certainly would be the ideal situation if armoured vehicles could park in a secure courtyard when picking up and delivering valuables or if they could back into a building that was also secured. But those things are usually not possible. The next best thing is to allow the vehicle to park as close as possible to the entrance to what is usually a bank.
We had a representative of the security industry come along to the Assembly and give a most interesting presentation to members. Ms Szuty came along, Mr Moore was there, and Mr Westende on behalf of the Liberal Party. We learned at that meeting that guards have been killed and that bystanders, members of the public, have been injured in armoured car hold-ups or attempts. They seem to attract particularly ruthless criminals, who will walk up to a guard and shoot without making any statement whatsoever.
The desire to park close to banks has caused some difficulty with parking regulations, although the parking branch have been most helpful in doing what they can to alleviate the problem. Nevertheless, there have been some difficulties and tickets have been issued. The effect of this Bill would be to allow armoured vehicles to park anywhere they like, except at bus stops or taxi ranks, provided that they do not cause obstruction or endanger members of the public or other vehicles.
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