CRIMINAL LAW (CLAMPING, IMPOUNDING AND FORFEITURE OF VEHICLES) (PRESCRIBED OFFENCES) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 6 March 2008. Page 2466.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (10:58): I rise today to support the motion to expand the powers relating to clamping of vehicles to include an offence against section 17 of the Summary Offences Act. Too many times in our community we see acts of hoon driving and other types of inappropriate use of vehicles stirring up neighbourhoods, etc., and causing distress in our community.

Only recently an extended road works program in Murray Bridge caused a lot of grief to residents who just did not want to pick up the pieces from people using vehicles inappropriately. A vehicle came skidding down a road while it was being resurfaced with new bitumen. The road was all white rubble at the time while the surface was being prepared. On this afternoon this person decided to throw the car sideways and land it on the pathway, and it almost hit some people but, thankfully, no-one was hurt. However, there was plenty of potential for someone being either severely hurt or killed in this instance.

I think that bringing in this measure to amend the original act is an excellent improvement, especially as it applies to people who use vehicles for criminal offences. We see many hundreds of businesses these days that have been forced to put up bollards in front of their premises. We have seen time and again on the evening news reports of people using vehicles to ram-raid business premises for quick vehicle access and, I guess, a quick getaway.

Mr Goldsworthy interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: Yes, as the member for Kavel just indicated, they also use their vehicles inappropriately, crashing into police vehicles which may be in pursuit, and this can cause the airbags to go off in the police vehicle and the chase has to end. Too many times we see the tragic tale of innocent people, such as the recent case of the SES volunteer just going to work, being hit by some idiot who, basically, is on the road unlawfully using a vehicle.

Frankly, I think we should make it even tougher; two strikes and you lose your vehicle forever. I am not sure what goes on at present, but I think the law needs to be tougher to really be a disincentive for people who use their vehicles inappropriately and in a criminal manner, often to ram-raid business premises or, for example, to hold up a bank or service station. I support the bill.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.