❓ A parliamentary question regarding a reduction in traffic patrol hours and vehicle stops for drink/drug driving, with the Minister responding by highlighting the government's commitment to road safety funding and operational decisions of the police force.
AnsweredQoN 758Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROAD SAFETY — TRAFFIC AND DRINK–DRIVING PATROLS
I refer to the minister’s disingenuous comments in this house on 15 June 2011 that road safety is a key priority for this government. (1) Why were there 2 771 fewer traffic patrol hours logged in the 2010–11 financial year when compared with the previous year? (2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I refer to the minister’s disingenuous comments in this house on 15 June 2011 that road safety is a key priority for this government. (1) Why were there 2 771 fewer traffic patrol hours logged in the 2010–11 financial year when compared with the previous year? (2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(1) Why were there 2 771 fewer traffic patrol hours logged in the 2010–11 financial year when compared with the previous year? (2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(1) Why were there 2 771 fewer traffic patrol hours logged in the 2010–11 financial year when compared with the previous year? (2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(2) Given that getting drink and drug–drivers off our roads is essential to making our roads safer, why did the number of vehicles stopped during 2010–11 plummet from 72 284 to 41 469? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
(1)–(2) I stand by the comments that I have made in relation to road safety. I do not think any government has done more for road safety than the government that is in power at the moment. As the member knows, this government has committed two-thirds of the income from speed and red-light cameras this financial year to road safety, and next financial year we are committed to 100 per cent. The Labor Party has only ever promised that; it has only ever talked about it, but it has never ever kept its promise. We have kept that promise. Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Fewer traffic stops and patrol hours is what I’m interested in, minister. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Look, the way that the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner in charge of traffic enforcement groups operate is an operational issue. They know what they are doing, and I have complete confidence in them. In relation to the number of people stopped for alcohol testing, police are now targeting specific areas where it is known people are more likely to have — Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : And stopping fewer of them. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are targeting them; they are targeting those people who they are more likely to catch who have been drinking and obviously driving. With the new booze and drug buses that this government is putting in place—we have certainly funded them—we will see more and more people being targeted for drink and drug–driving. Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : We are seeing less and less, minister; that is the problem. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; it is not. We have done more and more. We have done more than the Labor Party could ever envisage in its term in government. Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Ms M.M. Quirk : I suggest you read the police annual report. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Labor Party made promises; this government has actually fulfilled promises. I just say that I think this year to date we are three people above the same period last year in relation to fatalities. I think that is attributable to some recent deaths on motorcycles that have unfortunately taken place. We are quite considerably down in correspondence to this time last year—year to date last year—in the number of critical injuries, and of course critical injuries is an area that is very important in relation to those people who receive those critical injuries, their families and indeed the overall health and care costs. Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
Therefore, I think we are certainly going in the right direction and I think that the funding guarantees that the government has put in place will undoubtedly have an effect. We will not see it overnight, because as I explained, we will not receive those moneys until the end of each of those financial years; therefore, we do not have the money yet. But as soon as the money becomes available, it will be spent on more and more road safety initiatives, as endorsed by the Road Safety Council, not just at the whim of my own imagination. It will be done on the recommendation of the Road Safety Council, which we take note of.
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