Page 3260 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 13 November 2007
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MR CORBELL: I again thank Mr Gentleman for the question and I note his particular interest in this issue. Motorcycles are becoming a more popular form of transport in the territory again, and that is mostly down to ease of parking, the cost of running and the cost of purchase. It is certainly a much more attractive option for many people—particularly people without children, for example—than the private motor car. Nevertheless, around 130 motorcycles were stolen in the ACT last year and the government is concerned that we will see an increase in the level of theft of motorcycles because of their increasing popularity and prevalence. Most disconcerting of all is that there is a much lower level of recovery for stolen motorcycles. Most motorcycles that are stolen are not recovered. This would suggest that they are broken down for parts or they are placed onto rural properties where there is no need to register them and they do not appear in our vehicle registration system again.
So it is very important that we take some proactive measures now to help motorcycle riders to secure their vehicles against theft. That is why I have announced that the government will trial the installation of around 60 motorcycle anchor bolts in multiple public car parks around the territory. We will be working with the Department of Territory and Municipal Services, ACT Policing and motorcycle interest groups to determine the best locations for this trial. These anchor bolts involve motorcycle riders being able to physically chain or secure their motorcycle to a secure point in public motorcycle parks. This will provide some further level of deterrence in ensuring that people are less likely to target motorcycles for theft. If they prove effective, the government is keen to expand this program across the territory, but the trial is designed to determine the effectiveness of this initiative.
We will also be participating as a government in the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council’s summit next year on combating motorcycle theft at a national level. This has been recognised as a significant matter and one that needs more attention from government. We will be an active participant in that and I am very pleased that the ACT has become the first place in Australia to install motorcycle anchor bolts in a trial to see whether or not it can assist those motorcycle riders in our community in securing their vehicle and preventing their bike from being a target of thieves.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Executive contracts
Papers and statement by minister
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts): For the information of members, I present the following papers:
Public Sector Management Act, pursuant to sections 31A and 79—Copies of executive contracts or instruments—
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