Motor Vehicles (Previous Offences) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 28 August 2024.)

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley) (20:46): I indicate that the Liberal Party supports the bill, which helps to promote safer driving behaviour and imposes appropriate penalties for those who flout our road rules. This bill aims to close gaps in current road safety laws, particularly around how repeat offences like drink driving are handled. The proposed changes will make sure that past offences are properly considered when someone commits a new offence, even if those past offences had not been fully processed at the time.

One important change is how multiple offences are treated. Instead of dealing with them all at once, they will now be handled one after the other, which will result in longer licence disqualification periods for repeat offenders. There was an interesting story in the paper this week about a well-known Adelaide personality, who had been caught for the fourth time drink driving, so it is obviously a problem.

The bill also give the registrar more power to mandate the disqualification periods, especially in cases where the offender faces significant hardship. The opposition understands that the bill essentially tidies up a current anomaly enabling the registrar to impose disqualification periods that would take into consideration previous alleged offences that had not yet been expiated.

These changes will apply to offences committed before the bill takes effect, helping to ensure that all repeat offenders are held accountable. Overall, this bill strengthens the road safety laws, particularly in the area of drink driving, and is expected to have support in the community.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (20:48): I would like to thank the opposition for their support. This is an anomaly that we are attempting to overcome—the Coke principle, which is ironic given the week. Did you like that one? Too soon?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It was too soon. This is my experience as a justice of the peace. I thank the opposition for their support. This is a good set of reforms that needs to pass, and pass quickly, to give justice to people who do the right thing.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (20:49): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.