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

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:17): My question is directed to the Minister for Police. Why are certain police officers issuing an excessive number of on-the-spot fines for trifling matters—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: Just listen—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: I am here to stick up for the rights of ordinary, hard-working, rural producers—and if you cannot raise it in this place where else should you raise it?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right!

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: In particular, a constituent of mine was issued a $500 fine for carting a tank so that his cattle do not run out of water because, allegedly, it was 50 centimetres too high. Another operator was on Highway 1 and was given a $400 on-the-spot fine because the exhaust system was some 30 to 40 centimetres too high. He was made to remove it and had to get up on top of the hood of the truck—which, as I understand it, is not in accordance with occupational health and safety rules. However, when that truck has a sheep crate on it or is carting bales of wool then that is far in excess of the height of the exhaust.

I would also like to point out that the officer in question said that it was his job to sort out the transport industry and that he did not have to put up with idiotic truck drivers. That is contrary to undertakings given by the Minister for Transport when the legislation was in the parliament. I have a copy of one of the notices and, if the minister likes, I am happy to tell him the name of the police officer.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Stuart has more than explained his question.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his question, and will take him up on his offer of providing that additional information. Obviously, I will pursue those matters for him. As the member would be aware, there are avenues that individuals can take if they think they have been wronged—police complaints, for example—but if the member could supply me with those details I will pursue the matters with the police on the member's behalf.

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