CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS

The Hon. M. PARNELL (15:16): I have a further supplementary question. I note that taxis are exempt. Cannot the same latitude be provided to car sharing arrangements as is currently provided to taxis?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:17): In all these things, of course, enforcement is also very important—not that we have in any way put up the expiation fines or the demerit points for the changes that were announced earlier this year in relation to passenger responsibility. Bus drivers will continue to be exempt from ensuring that passengers under 16 years of age are restrained (under the national road rules). Taxi drivers also will be exempt. The driver of a taxi will be exempt from the new provisions if no suitable approved child restraint is available and, if the vehicle has two or more rows of seats, the passenger is not in the front row seat. Taxi drivers will continue to be responsible for passengers between the ages of seven and 16.