Heavy Vehicles

Mr GEE (Napier) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. How is the state government working to improve heavy vehicle roadworthiness in South Australia and at a national level?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:37): I thank the member for Napier for his question and his keen interest in this matter. This government is committed to improving the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles on South Australian roads. Over the last 12 months in particular, this government, the South Australian heavy vehicle industry and other states have focused on improving roadworthiness across the country.

We have seen the horrific impacts of unroadworthy vehicles involved in accidents on the South Eastern Freeway. Recent national operations targeting heavy vehicles by SAPOL—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure heavy vehicle compliance officers, including those conducted today, demonstrate significant issues within a minority of the industry.

In South Australia we know that many heavy vehicle operators are complying with current laws and are putting trucks on the road that are roadworthy and are being maintained properly. However, what is concerning is that there continues to be a small and recalcitrant group of operators that continue to defy current roadworthiness laws and put lives at risk on our roads. This is unacceptable behaviour and the government and, I am pleased to say, industry representatives are committed to eradicating this behaviour.

We are focusing our efforts both on improving the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles in the South Australian fleet but also, importantly, for those vehicles travelling on South Australian roads from interstate. Advice from SAPOL and DPTI indicates that there is a particular problem with trucks undertaking day-to-day work across the city as well as those undertaking trips to the Adelaide Hills using the South Eastern Freeway.

DPTI is continuing its random on-road inspections targeting heavy vehicles operating within the metropolitan area, with an initial focus on rigid trucks. This is complemented with a dedicated metropolitan heavy vehicle compliance team, which works directly with the on-road inspection team and SAPOL in a concentrated enforcement effort to significantly improve the level of heavy vehicle roadworthiness and standards in South Australia.

I am also progressing discussions with industry and other stakeholders about an improved South Australian heavy vehicle roadworthiness inspection regime. This will include looking at a range of possible further measures, including scheduled inspections. However, as I mentioned earlier, this work cannot be done in isolation. South Australia receives significant interstate vehicle traffic, whether it be from Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, as well as from regional centres. That's why South Australia has been arguing strongly for an improved national approach to roadworthiness.

At the recent Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting in late May, South Australia was able to gain the support of transport ministers around the country to fast-track the strengthening of national chain of responsibility laws to now address vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness matters. These improved laws will mean that every individual along the supply chain will need to ensure that vehicles are maintained appropriately and are roadworthy or face significant penalties.

I am pleased to advise that the National Transport Commission is drafting legislation for final approval at the next transport ministers' meeting in November. This is a significant fast-tracking of the rest of the roadworthiness national regime, which will also be considered in November. At this meeting, South Australia also expressed its strong support for a new national heavy vehicle inspection regime. This would create a standard across all states and, given South Australia's high level of interstate traffic, significantly improve the roadworthiness of all vehicles on our roads.

Last of all, I would like to make the final point that this government very much welcomes the strong support from South Australian industry bodies, in particular, the South Australian Road Transport Association and the Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of South Australia, as well as the strong support of the member for Mitchell, the shadow for transport, in this area. We are all committed to continuing to work with and amongst the industry to improve safety on South Australian roads.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley.