❓ Opposition questions the delay in implementing power-to-weight restrictions for P-plate drivers following a fatal accident. The Minister acknowledges the tragedy, explains the delay, citing lack of conclusive evidence supporting the effectiveness of such restrictions, and expresses openness to future legislation if compelling evidence emerges.
AnsweredQoN 877Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
P-PLATE DRIVERS — POWER-TO-WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
I am sure that I join with all members in expressing my great sadness, and our great sadness, at the unfortunate tragedy of a young wife and mother passing away earlier this week after a P-plate driver lost control of his vehicle. I note the government’s 2008 election commitment that stated that a Liberal government will investigate the feasibility of introducing power-to-weight restrictions for P-plate drivers. (1) Given that the minister requested a report in late 2008, why has he allowed the reporting deadline to slip to 2012? (2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I am sure that I join with all members in expressing my great sadness, and our great sadness, at the unfortunate tragedy of a young wife and mother passing away earlier this week after a P-plate driver lost control of his vehicle. I note the government’s 2008 election commitment that stated that a Liberal government will investigate the feasibility of introducing power-to-weight restrictions for P-plate drivers. (1) Given that the minister requested a report in late 2008, why has he allowed the reporting deadline to slip to 2012? (2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(1) Given that the minister requested a report in late 2008, why has he allowed the reporting deadline to slip to 2012? (2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio —
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(1) Given that the minister requested a report in late 2008, why has he allowed the reporting deadline to slip to 2012? (2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(2) Why is this election promise still outstanding three years after the member for Hillarys became the minister? (3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(3) Will the minister join with us in WA Labor to ensure that a mutually agreed bill is drafted over the next few months and introduced into the house in February next year and then passed as soon as possible? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
(1)–(3) Yes, I think that the initial words that the Leader of the Opposition said about condolences for the family of the deceased lady, a wife and mother, in such circumstances apply to everybody on both sides of the house—of course they do—and to everybody generally throughout Western Australia, I would say, and throughout the world. It is a terrible thing when we see a young person, particularly a wife and a mother of a very young baby, killed in such a tragic accident. An investigation is going on at the moment, as the Leader of the Opposition would obviously be aware. There are some questions as to whether the P-plater was speeding. Was he excessively speeding? I am not able to tell members that because I have not seen the results or been given information about the crash results. Certainly, one would suggest that he was not driving in a rational way because of the end result, which was so tragic. The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio — Mr E.S. Ripper : Power to weight. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
The nub of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, apart from the sorrow that we all feel for that family, was about speed-to-weight ratio —
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Power-to-weight ratio. Yes, it was an election commitment that we would investigate this. We did not say that we would bring it in or that we would do it, because the jury was still out on that, even during the election campaign. But we certainly felt it was important enough to ensure that we got the best information we could on power-to-weight ratio restrictions and whether we should be introducing such things. When I became the Minister for Road Safety and Minister for Police I asked the Office of Road Safety for all the information that it had about power-to-weight ratio and whether it could give me the credible justification to bring in legislation to do that. I have to tell members that the information that it gave me at the time was that it had carried out already, under the Leader of the Opposition’s government, I believe, some investigation, both nationally and internationally, to see whether there was any credible evidence to show that there was a correlation between death and serious injury and power-to-weight ratio—whether that was a factor. I was told that the office did not have any credible evidence to say that that actually was the case. It was explained to me verbally that in some cases people could have a big old car—I cannot remember the one that it mentioned at the time, but it was an Australian car, and obviously it was a big, heavy one—but it could not travel that fast because it was a big, heavy car. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is power-to-weight ratio. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, I realise that. But that would escape some people. When people have some of the smaller cars that are lighter, what happens with them very often, I understand, is that some people soup the cars up. They are not as they are manufactured; they soup them up and make them much faster. They put turbo things on them. I am not an expert on engines at all, but they do things to their cars to make them go faster and faster in a very short space of time. To me that is a dangerous thing. I saw more evidence of the number of crashes, particularly involving young males between 17 and 24, which is the age when most people get involved in crashes due to speed, alcohol, inattention, drugs and whatever else; those are the main factors. I told the Office of Road Safety about a year or so ago that I wanted some more up-to-date information on power-to-weight ratio, because I want to be convinced. If I can be convinced by research carried out both nationally and internationally that there is a correlation, I will be the first one to bring legislation into this house to do that. I do not want to bring in legislation that is going to be, in effect — Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Leader of the Opposition, I cannot believe that someone would interject on an answer that is being given to such a serious question. I really cannot understand the mentality of that member. The Leader of the Opposition might need to talk to him. I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
I make this commitment to the Leader of the Opposition: I will take this even further in view of the latest tragic death, and I will initiate a more rapid response. I will certainly try to find some other evidence that can tell me whether or not it will actually solve the problem and whether there is a correlation between death and serious injuries, and power-to-weight ratios. If I can be convinced, even in a small way, I will be the first to bring in legislation to do that. But I want to make sure that if I bring in such legislation, it will actually work and be based on credible evidence that that is a factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
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