Drug Driving Laws

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer a question about our state's drug-driving laws.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Yesterday, we heard about the arrest of an allegedly unlicensed and drugged motorcyclist caught speeding in excess of 200 kilometres along the North-South Motorway at Dry Creek. The police have since charged the man with a string of charges, except in relation to the drug driving. Coincidentally, SAPOL conducted a traffic blitz over the weekend which conducted 294 drug tests, which caught 27 drivers returning a positive reading—that is 9.2 per cent of drivers tested who returned a positive reading.

As we know, under our current laws, and unlike motorists caught drink-driving, these drugged drivers are allowed back on the road after 24 hours. My question to the Treasurer is: is the Liberal government concerned about the growing incidence of drug driving when it comes to methamphetamines on our roads, and has the Liberal government discussed changes to our drug-driving laws to address community concerns and expectations?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:36): I am sure the honourable member will be delighted to hear that the government remains concerned about the sorts of issues that the honourable member has raised. These are ongoing issues, both for the former government and for the current government as well. However, in relation to specific policy responses, they are questions more appropriately directed to my ministerial colleague the Attorney-General and probably also to my ministerial colleagues, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Transport or road safety as well. I am happy to take that particular aspect of the question on notice and bring back a reply.