House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-30 Daily Xml

Contents

ROAD TRAFFIC (HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (11:26): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Road Traffic Act 1961. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (11:27): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill is similar to the bill which I have introduced on a number of other occasions in this house, which provides for a maximum speed limit of 130 km/h on designated roads in South Australia. For the benefit of the house, I draw to its attention that it is road No. 2000, the Eyre Highway between Port Augusta and the Western Australian border; road No. 3400, the Barrier Highway between Hallett and the New South Wales border; road No. 1110, the road from Hawker to Lyndhurst; and road No. 1000, Stuart Highway between Port Augusta and the Northern Territory border.

I am sure that the Attorney-General is aware that these roads were constructed for speeds of that particular nature. I would point out to the house that this is a maximum, not a minimum, speed. There appears to be some misunderstanding by certain elements who do not seem to understand that people in the isolated parts of the state, and others who regularly travel over these long distances, strongly support this particular matter. When I raised this matter during the last election campaign, the erstwhile deputy premier decided to take a stick to me on it, and I thank him for that: he ensured that I was re-elected.

With all of the money spent and the activity that took place during that campaign, I increased my vote in Port Augusta. So, I must have done something right. This was part of my strategy, because I have a strong belief that you should attempt, at all times, to put into effect well thought out policies which your constituents want. A very large number of my constituents want this particular policy implemented, and I look forward to promoting it at length through the airwaves of the north of South Australia and on the local TV channels. The interesting thing is that lots of people in the corridors of this building come up alongside you and say, 'Yes, we support this.' However, when the time comes, they become nervous Nellies and they are gone.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: They are your Liberal colleagues.

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: Well, I am looking forward to the support of the Attorney-General.

Debate adjourned.