Page 2449 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 30 July 2019
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This can sometimes be fuelled by misinformation about the proposed changes and the perceived implications. Once again, it is where a public benefit is a process for doing so. I thank members for their contributions.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
Debate resumed from 6 June 2019, on motion by Mr Rattenbury:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MISS C BURCH (Kurrajong) (4.49): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill today. Measured and responsible road safety measures should always be welcomed in this place, and ensuring that ACT Policing can fairly and easily enforce our road rules is critical to the safety of Canberrans on our roads.
This bill includes amendments to introduce minimum disqualification periods for drivers who repeatedly drive when their licence is suspended, with one month for a first-time offender and two months for repeat offenders. Sensibly, this bill also includes amendments so that if drivers have had infringements in New South Wales those infringements are also counted towards their disqualification period in the same way that an infringement from the ACT counts. This brings us more in line with other jurisdictions, as do the amendments which make it an offence to allow someone to drive their car unregistered.
This bill will introduce clarity for medical staff around when to take blood samples from people who have been admitted to hospital following a traffic incident, including pedestrians, cyclists and a person riding an animal. This clarity will no doubt be welcomed by our health and emergency services personnel and will make it easier for police investigations to be conducted. The Canberra Liberals also welcome the efficiency improvements in administration that components of this omnibus legislation will achieve.
We all know how important road safety is for the Canberra community. The devastation that is caused by reckless or impaired drivers can be hard to grapple with. There are many individuals and families in the ACT that have been victims of reckless drivers, either first or second hand.
While it is important that we get this legislation right in order to reduce the number of accidents and achieve zero fatalities on our roads, it is just as crucial that we ensure that our police and emergency services are equipped with the resources they need to enforce relevant legislation. I note that, despite population growth, we have
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