❓ Question regarding the high road fatality rate in WA and a call for an independent review of road safety strategies. The Premier responds defensively, highlighting past government efforts and criticising the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 52Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROAD SAFETY - REVIEW
Given that nine people died on Western Australian roads last weekend and that just last week a Royal Automobile Club report card gave the government a C for road safety, citing poor implementation of the road safety strategy, delays in the completion of road safety projects, and the failure to get the road safety message through to young drivers, will the Premier instruct the responsible minister to immediately undertake an independent, bipartisan review of road safety strategies in Western Australia; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Given that nine people died on Western Australian roads last weekend and that just last week a Royal Automobile Club report card gave the government a C for road safety, citing poor implementation of the road safety strategy, delays in the completion of road safety projects, and the failure to get the road safety message through to young drivers, will the Premier instruct the responsible minister to immediately undertake an independent, bipartisan review of road safety strategies in Western Australia; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
Despite the question, this is a matter I take very seriously, unlike the opposition. I recall that in the past the opposition has criticised the government for trying to crack down on speeding drivers. Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Despite the question, this is a matter I take very seriously, unlike the opposition. I recall that in the past the opposition has criticised the government for trying to crack down on speeding drivers. Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Despite the question, this is a matter I take very seriously, unlike the opposition. I recall that in the past the opposition has criticised the government for trying to crack down on speeding drivers. Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Despite the question, this is a matter I take very seriously, unlike the opposition. I recall that in the past the opposition has criticised the government for trying to crack down on speeding drivers. Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Despite the question, this is a matter I take very seriously, unlike the opposition. I recall that in the past the opposition has criticised the government for trying to crack down on speeding drivers. Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr J.E. McGrath : Never. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were to read back through the opposition’s commentary on road safety, I would find that it has made some very foolish and embarrassing statements. Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr M.J. Cowper : The dead bodies on the side of the road are your responsibility. The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : The member for Murray may wish that he had asked that question, but he did not. I call him to order for the third time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Murray would not know. This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
This is a matter I take very seriously. Far too many people, particularly young people, are being killed on our roads. The figure for road deaths has now almost reached the level it was at regularly when the opposition was in government. It is almost as high as when 200 people per annum were regularly killed on the roads. The present government was elected and it put in place a new strategy and a new set of policy positions. It reduced the road toll from above 200 to 165 per annum. There was a steady decrease. In other words, our approach saved the lives of an average of 35 people per annum. Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr R.F. Johnson : You can’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Hillarys, of all people, should know better. He was shadow Minister for Police for a long time, and he saw what the government was doing. In spite of the fact that there are more cars and more drivers on the road, we brought the road toll down from the very high level it was at to around 160. Last year there was a significant increase, and the figure was around about 202, which is far too high. Those 202 people died unnecessarily. This year the figure for the first three months is even higher, which is a matter of the gravest concern to all of us. The government has a very good road safety campaign, but it is under review. It will be reviewed this year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Trying to make political mileage out of the carnage on the roads is about as low as the opposition can get, particularly given that the situation was far worse when the opposition was in government. The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The preparation of young drivers is as good as, or better than, it has ever been. I guarantee that when most members on this and the other side of the house went for their driver’s licence, the test constituted their ability to drive around the block safely. That is pretty much what a test constituted. These days young people have to go through a rigorous set of assessments before they get their licence. Cars have never been safer and the quality of the road network has never been better. Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr T.K. Waldron : That is not right. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is better, although we can always make significant improvements. We are witnessing - I think the vast majority of the population believes this too - complete irresponsibility on the part of a number of drivers, which will ultimately result in their deaths or the deaths of perfectly innocent young people. The irresponsible idiots driving on our roads must be dealt with. In my view, the best way to deal with people who endanger innocent lives - not to mention their own lives - in that way is to punish them severely for their reckless behaviour. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Other measures can be, have been and must be taken, and the government has taken, is taking and will continue to take those measures. It is unacceptable that so many people are being killed on our roads. When I drive back from Bunbury or Mandurah and observe the many individuals alone in their vehicles who drive at 140 kilometres an hour, at least, whistle past me in the same direction and weave in and out of traffic, I know that ultimately there will be only one result from that sort of behaviour. That class of drivers must be taught a lesson and removed from our roads.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.