Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 2665 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: I think it is significant legislation which needs to be tested. You have conceded, Mr Quinlan, that it needs to be tested as well to see what kind of experience we have with this.

Mr Quinlan: That is punitive legislation that you were talking about.

MR HUMPHRIES: No, it was not punitive legislation. Mr Speaker, Mr Quinlan can make distinctions if he wishes, but I think that we have here a significant piece of legislation-

Mr Corbell: You don't because it is an inconvenience.

MR SPEAKER: Settle down, please.

MR HUMPHRIES: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think this legislation is significant. This legislation has the potential, if it is not used properly, to encourage people to drink and drive. That is a potentially dangerous outcome of this legislation. The government is supporting this bill but it wants its operation to be reviewed. On the same basis that you people argued for a sunset clause on the move-on powers, I argue that it is appropriate to have a sunset clause in this so that we can ensure that that testing and monitoring of the situation does occur. Go back and see what you said on that occasion. The arguments you have used today against a sunset clause were the diametric opposite of what you were then arguing were the reasons for a sunset clause. Mr Speaker, I would urge that on this house.

MS TUCKER (4.07): I do not think I will support this amendment moved by Mr Humphries. I understand that New South Wales and Victoria have had these machines for around 5 years. I don't know if there has been a formal review, but the AHA, through its New South Wales counterparts, is saying that they have been successful. There certainly doesn't appear to be any clear evidence that they have been a disaster in any way. It is not as though Mr Quinlan is suddenly inventing something that nobody else has tried. If there is a sunset clause I would be concerned that you would see licensees reluctant to invest funds in this. I do not know how important this measure will be, but any measure is important to reduce the cost to our community from drink driving.

MR RUGENDYKE (4.09): I have listened carefully to the reasoning for a sunset clause in this bill. I think I can sum it up quite simply by saying that I do not think we need a sunset clause on the move-on powers, and nor do I really think we need a sunset clause in this bill.

Amendment negatived.

Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .