Question Time

FINE INCREASES

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Police a question about exorbitant increases in fines.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I was recently contacted by an overseas couple visiting from Ireland who are staying here in Australia. Both have jobs here. I think the wife works in the health services area somewhere in the city. They bought an old motor vehicle (I am not quite sure how old), had it checked out by two reputable mechanics and then proceeded to use it as their vehicle for travelling around Adelaide.

Obviously, it was a vehicle that attracted some attention from the police, because they were stopped not once, not twice, but three times by police so they could have a look at the vehicle, because it was old and tired looking. On the first two occasions, police could find nothing wrong with the vehicle, wished them well and moved them on their way. On the third occasion when they were stopped by a police officer, the officer went over the vehicle and found nothing wrong with it except that the numberplate was illegible, and that the white between the black numbers was cracked and not as brilliant white as it had been. The officer fined this young couple $525 for a numberplate that he claimed could not be read.

My questions to the minister are: when did the government increase the fine to over $500 for having a numberplate where the white paint in between the black lettering is cracked and a bit grey; why did it increase this fine to that level; and how and over what time frame did it advertise to the community that this fine was increasing?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:26): There are a fair few assumptions in that question. As we know from previous experience, it is always very wise whenever you get a question of this nature from members of the opposition to check out the facts first.

If the honourable member wishes to provide me with the information, I will refer that question to the Minister for Police and ask him to investigate to see whether the facts as the leader put them in his question are, indeed, the case. If he wishes to provide that information, I am sure that matter can be investigated. If the couple believes they have been unfairly treated, of course, they should go to the Police Complaints Authority, which is the appropriate body to look at it. I will refer the question to the Minister for Police and bring back a response.