Motions

Speed Detection

Adjourned debate on motion of Mr Wingard:

That this house establish a select committee to inquire into and report upon—

(a) the operation of speed cameras and speed detection devices in South Australia;

(b) the relationship between the location of speed cameras and the incidence of road accidents;

(c) the impact of constantly changing speed limits and the effectiveness of speed limit signage;

(d) the effectiveness and appropriateness of current penalties for speeding offences, including a review of fines imposed;

(e) the operation of the Community Road Safety Fund; and

(f) any related matters.

(Continued from 31 May 2017.)

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (11:34): I rise to speak on this motion before the house to establish a select committee to examine the use and effectiveness of speed cameras and other measuring devices used by South Australia Police in South Australia, specifically:

(a) the operation of speed cameras and speed detection devices in South Australia;

(b) the relationship between the location of speed cameras and the incidence of road accidents;

(c) the impact of constantly changing speed limits and the effectiveness of speed limit signage;

(d) the effectiveness of current penalties for speeding offences, including the independent review of fines imposed;

(e) the operation of the Community Road Safety Fund; and

(f) any related matter.

I would like to thank all the members who spoke on this motion before the house. I do note that, like me, the member for Hartley and the member for Mount Gambier particularly showed great concern. One of the big concerns is the perception of the police. It was interesting to hear the police commissioner on radio FIVEaa this morning talk about the fact that, when he goes to social engagements, the main thing people come up and talk to him about is speed cameras.

There is a perception out in the community that speed cameras are there to raise revenue. The police commissioner is pushed on that everywhere he goes. I think that perception is a burden that the police do not need, and that is why we want this select committee to get to the bottom of what speed cameras are really there for, to have a look at why speed cameras are in place and to assure the public that they are not there for revenue raising. That is the concern.

When we look at this year's budget, we see that 10 new speed cameras are outlined. The budgeted revenue has already been put in place for those new speed cameras, but we do not know where they are going to go. Year on year, revenue from speed camera fines goes up and up and up. The government is very keen to collect this revenue. We know they are driven on taxes, and the member for Chaffey was talking earlier about the massive rises to the ESL that the government has put in place and also the state bank tax that they want to inflict on all South Australians.

The perception is out there. When we look at the budget papers and see what is going on with the constant rise in speed camera revenue, people feel that speed cameras are there to raise funds for the government. That is why this select committee will go through and identify where speed cameras are, why they are there and evaluate their road safety capability against their positioning.

The member for Bragg also made mention—and no doubt the police commissioner is questioned on this as well—of people often saying, 'The speed limit was one speed here and then it changed by 10 kilometres, then went down by 10 kilometres a little bit farther down the road.' The variance and the inconsistency in speed limits is also something that people talk about all the time. This select committee will look at that and make sure there is a consistency in speed limit changes, that they are not constantly changing speed limits and that they are effectively signed.

That is the great concern that we have. That is what the community is concerned about. We know that the government is not interested in what we are trying to achieve here, which is to get some clarity for the people of South Australia and examine the effectiveness of speed cameras and other measuring devices used by the police, to make sure that we have safe roads and that these speed cameras are not being used to revenue raise and are being used to make our roads safe.

If the other side agrees with that, then by all means we would like them to support the establishment of this select committee because it will get to the bottom of the perception that is out there amongst the public that speed cameras are only placed to trick people and trap people. That is the great concern for everyone. That is what the committee will be created for. It is a great opportunity for the government to show all South Australians that speed cameras are not revenue raisers. Let's put it on the table, let's be transparent and let's show that we have nothing to hide.

The house divided on the motion:

Ayes 19

Noes 23

Majority 4

Motion thus negatived.