AUSTRALASIAN ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCE

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question regarding an Australasian road safety conference.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I understand that this week Adelaide is hosting a 2008 Australasian road safety conference.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I cannot even hear myself think, let alone speak.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I think the Leader of the Opposition ought to loosen his tie a bit; he is getting a bit fat in the chin there.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I understand that this week Adelaide is hosting the 2008 Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference. Will the minister provide further details on the issues being addressed by the conference and how this information-sharing will assist South Australia to reach its road safety targets?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I hope that members opposite will stop being so derogatory to members on this side.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: We, on this side, are always so polite.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I have heard you say some nasty things about him. Road safety experts from around the world are this week converging on Adelaide for Australasia's premier annual road safety event, the 2008 Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference.

The conference, which I officially opened yesterday, brings together leading local and international road safety experts to explore the latest results in road safety research and activities. More than 350 delegates are discussing innovative road safety practices in policing, education, policy development and program management over a three-day program. There are three international keynote speakers: European traffic policing expert, Wolfgang Blindenbacher; Director-General of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Professor Ahmad Farhan; and internationally-recognised road safety expert, Jeanne Breen OBE.

Visitors to Adelaide have had the opportunity of participating in workshops on a range of topics, including road safety in Australasia, education, vehicle secondary safety systems, speed enforcement and youth perspectives on graduated driver licensing. In road safety, it is crucial that policy makers understand the emerging countermeasures that are being applied all over the world.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing two of the keynote speakers. The conference has also provided a valuable opportunity for our near neighbours in the region to learn and gather knowledge regarding initiatives and measures that have been proven to make a difference in the Australian jurisdictions. Some 20 delegates from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam have also attended the conference.

On Sunday, leaders in road safety, transport, police and academic institutions from these countries attended a regional road safety knowledge and management program. The program was organised by the South Australian Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in association with AusAID (the Australian agency for international development) and the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility, which funded the program. The program comprises a one-day introductory workshop, and subsequent attendance at the conference. The purpose of the program is to provide participants with access to a broad range of Australian and international understanding and expertise in road safety knowledge and management which attendees can take back to their respective countries. I am very pleased that South Australia has been able to facilitate this important knowledge transfer initiative.