Page 603 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 9 March 2011
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MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Bresnan for the question. Indeed, it is a very relevant and important consideration that is raised quite regularly with the government through our negotiations and consultation in relation to the next five-year road safety strategy. Motorcyclists and, indeed, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to roadside hazards such as guardrails, posts, light posts and other barriers. It is a significant issue.
Motorcyclists are at extra risk. They are at extra risk anyway because of the nature of motorcycling—the fact that they are not restrained or restrainable and the implications of them coming into contact with hazards as non-restrained road users travelling often at speed. We do accept, Ms Bresnan, that as part of a new strategy and new way in relation to road safety that we have to have full regard to essentially the engineering aspects of road safety. They go to the issues around the best barriers and barriers that do not actually work against motorcyclists. I know there is some concern about the new wire car restraint barriers and the implications of those for motorcyclists.
We accept that, over time, as we move to continue to reduce our road toll, we will have more and more to invest in new engineering responses to those sorts of issues. I am sure you understand that that has to be, in the context of the costs involved, a long-term view and process. But we are aware of it. It is part of our responsibility as governments to ensure that the engineering aspects, including barriers and roads, are uppermost with regard to the implications of those for motorcyclists.
MR HANSON: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Chief Minister, given your dissertation on bike safety in western Europe, perhaps you could update the Assembly on bike safety in Spain.
MR STANHOPE: I would be happy to do that, but these are serious questions about road safety. Almost 100 Canberrans have died in the last six years in the ACT—almost 100 Canberrans have died on the roads. These are very serious questions and they have very serious implications. I do not think that we should be jesting about the importance of us and the community doing all that we can to reduce road death and road trauma.
I will not dignify what was I presume a very poor attempt at jest with an answer when we are talking about people dying and being maimed.
Housing—public
MR COE: My question is to the minister for housing and community services. Minister, the Chief Minister and the Greens recently committed to a goal of 10 per cent public housing stock. As of this month, what is the current percentage of housing stock?
MS BURCH: I can take the precise percentage of this month on notice, but we are in the high eight per cent is my understanding and the ACT remains across Australia the state with the highest percentage of public housing in the housing stock across the
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