Motor Vehicles (Previous Offences) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 12 September 2024.)

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (16:03): I rise as the lead speaker on this bill and indicate the opposition's support. This bill aims to address the existing gaps in our road safety laws, particularly around handling repeat offences like drink driving. The proposed amendments will ensure that when an individual commits a new offence their past offences are properly taken into account, even if these earlier offences have not yet been fully processed.

The significant change in this bill is in the treatment of multiple offences: instead of addressing them simultaneously they will be dealt with in sequence, which may lead to extended licence disqualification periods for habitual offenders. This bill also grants the registrar increased authority in managing disqualification periods, especially in circumstances where the offender faces considerable hardship.

The opposition recognises that this bill essentially resolves an existing anomaly, empowering the registrar to apply disqualification periods that consider previous offences, even if those offences have not yet been fully expiated. These amendments are set to apply to offences committed before the bill's passage ensuring that repeat offenders are comprehensively held into account.

In essence, this bill reinforces our road safety laws, especially in the area of drink driving, and is expected to be widely supported in the community. The South Australian Liberal Party endorses this bill as it promotes safer driving practices and delivers appropriate penalties for those who disregard our road regulations.

The Hon. S.L. GAME (16:04): I rise briefly to support the government's Motor Vehicles (Previous Offences) Amendment Bill. The penalty provisions are designed to deter offending on our roads and enhance road safety by disqualifying people who repeatedly engage in risky behaviour.

These amendments have been introduced to give effect to this purpose by addressing an administrative anomaly and permitting the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to impose disqualification periods regardless of the timing of the commission and expiation of the alleged offences. The amendments also address the escalating penalty structure for the South Eastern Freeway heavy vehicle speeding offences, which has been removed and replaced with a six-month flat penalty regime to avoid some of the harsh outcomes imposed under the previous structure.

The bill also intends to address intended outcomes in relation to penalties for the following offences: alcohol and drug dependency assessment tests, drink-driving offences and drug-driving offences. The bill also inserts a new section upholding the duty of the registrar to ensure that any person who commits multiple offences will undertake an alcohol or drug dependency assessment.

These measures are important in maintaining public safety on our roads and enforce fair and reasonable penalties on those who put others in the community at risk with their irresponsible behaviour.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (16:05): I thank all honourable members who have contributed to the debate, and I look forward to the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (16:07): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.