❓ Mrs. Roberts questions the Minister for Police on the delay in implementing promised road traffic legislation, particularly concerning novice drivers and police pursuit protections, given the upcoming election. The Minister defends the delay, citing the need for thorough consultation and consideration.
AnsweredQoN 490Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE —
ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION
490. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the various commitments of the minister's
government, including a commitment in The
Sunday Times of November 2011 and via a media statement of April 2012, to
bring in a variety of laws such as those that would protect police involved in
pursuit driving; ban novice drivers from using mobile phones, including
hands-free use; restrict the number of passengers that a novice driver can
carry at night; and ban radar detectors.
(1) With 18
sitting days before the next state election, when will we see any of these
laws?
(2) Why is this important legislation not a priority?
(3) Why is the
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Amendment Bill 2012 a
higher priority than protecting young people in motor vehicles?
ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION
490. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the various commitments of the minister's
government, including a commitment in The
Sunday Times of November 2011 and via a media statement of April 2012, to
bring in a variety of laws such as those that would protect police involved in
pursuit driving; ban novice drivers from using mobile phones, including
hands-free use; restrict the number of passengers that a novice driver can
carry at night; and ban radar detectors.
(1) With 18
sitting days before the next state election, when will we see any of these
laws?
(2) Why is this important legislation not a priority?
(3) Why is the
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Amendment Bill 2012 a
higher priority than protecting young people in motor vehicles?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(3)
The member has mentioned a number of initiatives and legislative priorities of
this government. As mentioned previously in the ministerial statement, I expect
to bring into the house next week our legislation covering the management by
police of out-of-control gatherings.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : I didn't ask
about that.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
With respect to some of the pieces of legislation that the member is referring
to —
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Pursuit driving—how about that?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : Thank you, Mr Speaker.
With regard to pursuit driving, in
response to a motion put at the Western Australian Police Union conference in
May this year, the government has been in consultation and I have been in
consultation also with the Commissioner of Police and the union. I expect to
bring something to the house at some future point in time regarding pursuit
driving.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : This year?
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : What is important to note about pursuit driving is that the
police are forced to make split-second decisions in very volatile situations
when they are engaging in a pursuit. Legislation such as that takes a great
degree of consultation, and it needs to be considered very, very carefully
before the government chooses to take a response or change legislation around
protections for police officers regarding pursuits. I think that it should be
given due consideration. It should also be given the high level of consultation
and priority that I have given to it with the Commissioner of Police and the
Western Australian Police Union of Workers.
Legislation takes time to draft. It takes time to consult
with the relevant authorities. In addition to taking time to consult, we need
to ensure that there are no unintended consequences as a result of legislation
that we bring to this place. I can give a guarantee to the house that
legislation I bring into this place will be well thought through, we will have
consulted with all the relevant stakeholders who will be affected by the
legislation and the legislation will be acceptable to both houses of Parliament—both
the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council—so it has a high
potential of being passed through both houses of Parliament.
member for the question.
(1)–(3)
The member has mentioned a number of initiatives and legislative priorities of
this government. As mentioned previously in the ministerial statement, I expect
to bring into the house next week our legislation covering the management by
police of out-of-control gatherings.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : I didn't ask
about that.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY :
With respect to some of the pieces of legislation that the member is referring
to —
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Pursuit driving—how about that?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : Thank you, Mr Speaker.
With regard to pursuit driving, in
response to a motion put at the Western Australian Police Union conference in
May this year, the government has been in consultation and I have been in
consultation also with the Commissioner of Police and the union. I expect to
bring something to the house at some future point in time regarding pursuit
driving.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : This year?
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : What is important to note about pursuit driving is that the
police are forced to make split-second decisions in very volatile situations
when they are engaging in a pursuit. Legislation such as that takes a great
degree of consultation, and it needs to be considered very, very carefully
before the government chooses to take a response or change legislation around
protections for police officers regarding pursuits. I think that it should be
given due consideration. It should also be given the high level of consultation
and priority that I have given to it with the Commissioner of Police and the
Western Australian Police Union of Workers.
Legislation takes time to draft. It takes time to consult
with the relevant authorities. In addition to taking time to consult, we need
to ensure that there are no unintended consequences as a result of legislation
that we bring to this place. I can give a guarantee to the house that
legislation I bring into this place will be well thought through, we will have
consulted with all the relevant stakeholders who will be affected by the
legislation and the legislation will be acceptable to both houses of Parliament—both
the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council—so it has a high
potential of being passed through both houses of Parliament.
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