Page 1867 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
As to Ms Gallagher’s amendments, it was a little disappointing that I first saw them as a piece of paper that flitted in front of me while I was speaking. As this is a somewhat technical matter, it would have been helpful if they had been circulated earlier. I have no problems with the additional things she wants to note. Yes, they have got a transport for Canberra strategy and the government says in that they will develop the strategic plan parking framework. That is fine. I am very glad to hear that the government through Parking Operations treats enforcement of illegal parking in disability parking spaces as a priority. I would have to say that not everyone else would agree that they are treating it as a priority. It may be a priority, but more is needed. I am very pleased, of course, that the fine for parking illegally in disabled car parking areas is higher than other parking fines. This is how it should be.
I am, however, disappointed that the only thing the government wants to actually commit to doing is to report back to the Assembly in the August sittings on the progress of the 2008 ACT disabled parking study recommendations. That is a study of four years ago. I also point out that that, of course, is one of the things the Greens ask for in our motion.
I will go through quickly what it is that the Liberal Party and the Labor Party want to take out of the motion, despite both saying that disabled parking is important. The Liberal Party clearly said there should be more disabled car parking and that there should be better enforcement. Despite that, the Liberal Party does not wish to agree to increase disabled car parking. They are voting against that. That is paragraph (2)(a). They do not want to agree to paragraph (2)(d), which is increasing enforcement of illegal parking. Despite the fact Mr Doszpot called for it, he does not want to support it as a motion.
No-one wants to support reporting to the Assembly on progress of the issues in this motion. I guess that makes sense because they will have removed all the things we have called for from the government, apart from reporting back against a four-year study.
The positive thing is that I am really pleased everybody agrees we have a problem with the provision of disabled parking, the current design of disabled parking and the enforcement of disabled parking regulations. I am disappointed the other two parties do not see fit to agree to what I and the Greens think is a positive set of recommendations to address this. But, as I said, I am very pleased that, hopefully, this will mean that in the long term we get better provision of disabled parking, because we certainly need that in the ACT.
Question put:
That Mr Doszpot’s amendments to Ms Gallagher’s amendments be agreed to.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video