Question Time

GEARED 2 DRIVE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Youth. Minister, will you inform us how the government is assisting disadvantaged young people to learn to drive?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. The Weatherill Labor government has embarked on a very innovative program, in partnership with the Service to Youth Council and community sector volunteers, and also the business community (in this case, Smiths Holden and EPAC) to commence a trial of a new initiative to help new learner drivers. The program is aimed at disadvantaged South Australians aged between 16 and 25 who lack the opportunities and support needed to successfully obtain a provisional driver's licence. Not all young people have access to supervised driving; not all young people have a responsible adult in their life who has the time that is needed to help them do their supervised driver training.

Geared 2 Drive will provide up to 42 places on an ongoing basis for the remainder of this year, whereby professional lessons will be provided by driving instructors. Not having driving skills or a licence can affect a young person's ability to get to job interviews or to gain or retain employment and education opportunities, or access essential services or even maintain social and family networks. That is why we have provided $40,000 in funding to enable young people to complete their 75 hours of supervised driving required for a provisional driver's licence.

By investing the time and resources to foster the potential of our young people, we are ultimately investing in South Australia's future. Participants are referred to Geared 2 Drive through Service to Youth Council programs, other agencies and promotional activities in schools and local communities. Referral to the program will be based on the need to take into account the participant's lack of access to a driving supervisor or a vehicle and, of course, the funds to pay for private tuition. The program is reliant upon the goodwill of volunteers.

At the launch last week, I also met a volunteer driving instructor named Grant, who told me that he was encouraged to take up this role by his wife, who works in the youth sector. He said that he had been through a rigorous selection and training process in preparation for Geared 2 Drive. In fact, I am advised that the volunteer instructors have to resit their driver's test again to qualify as a volunteer, which is a good process. Perhaps honourable members might want to emulate that and sit for their driving test again. There is a big learning curve involved. Things have changed, and some of us might like to refresh our skills. Nineteen volunteers are already on the program and, of course, many more are welcome.

The Service to Youth Council has developed this initiative, which contributes to youthconnect, the government's strategy for young people, in particular, to support young people gaining and retaining their driver's licence, particularly for employment-related purposes. Additionally, the program teaches participants to be safe drivers by educating young drivers about negative peer influence, drugs and alcohol. Geared 2 Drive is yet another example of how the Weatherill Labor government is helping and supporting the youth of South Australia.