COMPULSORY THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure a question about the proposals currently being considered to change the compulsory third-party insurance scheme for motor vehicles.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: The draft Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Bill provides for a scheme of lifetime care for catastrophically injured motor vehicle victims. Payments will be administered by a new body corporate, the lifetime support authority, with a board of directors and staff.

There will also be an expert review panel and a dispute resolution procedure. My questions are somewhat detailed, and the minister may wish to take some of them on notice. My questions are: will the following classes of drivers be entitled to lifetime support under the scheme if they suffer catastrophic injuries in the following circumstances:

1. a driver who is not wearing a seatbelt and was driving at twice the legal speed limit;

2. a driver highly intoxicated by drugs or alcohol;

3. somebody who is committing an act of crime who crashes while evading police pursuit;

4. a driver who intended to commit suicide by crashing a vehicle into a tree;

5. a driver who intended to commit suicide by crashing into another car on the highway?

Of course, there are myriad examples that could be raised.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for his questions. I will refer his questions to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in another place, and I am happy to bring back a response.