Page 2905 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 September 1994
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I thank them very much for the information over and above what they had already provided during the review of transport regulation in the ACT. I said to them that I will take that on board in considering the final framework to be implemented; that the framework acknowledged by the PDIA and, in fact, the PDIA's own program would be costed out at around those figures that you are talking about. The organisation that you apparently are representing here this afternoon or whose issues you are pursuing here this afternoon themselves acknowledge that there will be a cost, but that cost has to be measured against the cost to our community of allowing on the road drivers who are basically unprepared for what they meet on the road. Every member of this community - everybody inside this Assembly and everybody outside it - in fact bears that cost. We are talking about a competency based licence to drive program but also about accrediting the instructors. I presume that you would also support the proposition that persons putting out a shingle, proposing to teach somebody to drive, should have the necessary qualifications to impart the required knowledge. That is simply the fact; that is what is being proposed; that is what the PDIA support. That is what they support not only here but nationally.
I come to the question of five fingers. Mrs Carnell, you of all people should know. Mr De Domenico held up only one finger and made you the leader, so holding up five is not going to do much good for you this afternoon. The costs will be discussed and debated with the industry; but you can rest assured, Mrs Carnell, that the system that will be introduced will be an enhancement upon the system introduced in South Australia. It will be one that I am confident will have the support of not only the broad community in the ACT but the licence to drive companies here. Mr De Domenico, you might find the matter a humorous one; but it is something that I treat quite seriously, and you can rest assured that I will be pursuing it with vigour.
Canberra Institute of Technology, Reid - Parking
MR STEVENSON: My question is also addressed to Mr Lamont. It requires only a brief answer. It concerns the introduction of pay parking at the Reid campus of the Canberra Institute of Technology. On 22 August last a $5 a day fee was introduced for the car park next to the School of Tourism and Hospitality. The amount of unlimited non-pay parking in that area is extremely limited. Staff at Reid now have to pay for parking. Staff of other CIT colleges such as Bruce, southside and so on do not have to do that. Suggestions have been made that car pooling could solve the problem or that people could travel by bus, but this is particularly difficult for teachers and staff working in that area. First of all, they are quite often required to work different hours and flexible hours. This is certainly so with the range of night-time courses that the colleges teach. Staff are also required to carry heavy text books, assignments and so on.
MADAM SPEAKER: Can we get to the question?
MR STEVENSON: I ask Mr Lamont: Can the matter be made equitable?
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