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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1795 ..

MR KAINE (continuing):

This Government has ensured that all people who contribute to the trauma and high costs of accidents are treated equally. As with the compulsory blood sampling amendments to the Motor Traffic (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977, this amendment is consistent with laws in place in New South Wales.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

MR KAINE (Minister for Urban Services) (10.49): Mr Speaker, I present the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Bill (No. 3) 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR KAINE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

The cause of most road trauma in Australia remains with the driver of the vehicle. Vehicle condition plays a part in less than 5 per cent of vehicle crashes. By implementing changes to vehicle inspection requirements at the start of 1996, this Government accepted those facts and removed a considerable burden from the ACT community. It is now time to take the next step, in line with policies outlined prior to the last election and announced recently.

We are opening most remaining vehicle inspections to competition from the private sector. This will bring the ACT further into line with other States and Territories, where the majority of vehicle inspections are performed by private enterprise. The amendments allow most vehicle inspections to be performed by authorised examiners in authorised premises. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles will authorise premises and examiners who meet required financial, personal and equipment standards.

Mechanisms for auditing the inspection functions within private sector establishments and the government inspection station at Dickson have been included. An authorisation may be cancelled if the required standards are not maintained. Authorised examiners must perform inspections in accordance with the vehicle inspection manual that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will prepare and maintain. The vehicle inspection manual will be based on nationally agreed standards. This will result in the same inspection standard being applied in private premises and in the government inspection station at Dickson.

The Government has made it easier for vehicle owners and drivers to have inspections carried out. This has been done by requiring examiners to perform inspections on demand of any vehicle for which they are authorised. Due to community safety concerns, heavy vehicles over 41/2 tonnes, taxis, omnibuses and hire-cars will still be tested at the government inspection station at Dickson. Some other vehicles, such as low-volume

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