MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, questions regarding car registrations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I have recently had a number of complaints regarding registration of motor vehicles. In trying to resolve these issues potential problems have arisen, particularly with regard to the difference between registered operators or users and registered owners. I was told by the department of transport that there is no record of registered owners. This prompted me to pose a number of hypothetical scenarios to the department, and the answers I received demonstrated to me that there are significant problems with the current system.

An explanation of the problems would be far too involved to give in this setting, but I am happy to provide further information to the minister or any other member should they wish. In considering a solution it is apparent that many of these issues could be resolved if the Registrar changed the register of operators to a register of owners. From my observation the general public is of the impression that registration of a vehicle is proof of ownership, when this is not the case. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has consideration been given to change the register of operators to owners?

2. How difficult would it be to have a register of owners of motor vehicles instead of operators?

3. What problems, if any, have been identified if this suggestion was implemented?

4. What would be the likely cost of doing this?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:21): I thank the honourable member for his most important question on car registration. The member said that he could offer an explanation which is probably beyond question time, but I might invite the honourable member to write either to me or directly to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure for that further information. I want to take those questions he has put on the record to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in the other place and seek a response on his behalf.