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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-07-03 Daily Xml
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Department for Infrastructure and Transport, $1,107,742,000

Administered Items for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, $7,863,000

South Australia Police, $1,006,195,000

Administered Items for South Australia Police, $69,000


Minister:

Hon J.K. Szakacs, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.


Departmental Advisers:

Mr J. Whelan, Chief Executive, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Mr G. Jackson, Executive Director, People and Corporate Services, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Ms E. Kokar, Executive Director, Road and Marine Services, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Mr A. Ockenden, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Ms S. Clark, Director, Road Safety, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Mr L. Pineda, Manager, Budget and Reporting, Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Mr N. Bamford, Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Australia Police.

Mr S. Johinke, Executive Director, Business Service, South Australia Police.

Mr D. Fielke, Superintendent, South Australia Police.


The CHAIR: The portfolio is road safety. The minister appearing is the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. I advise that the proposed payments are open for examination. The minister can speak for, I will say, up to five minutes this time, given there are only 30 minutes for this session.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am happy just to thank the committee for its attendance today and to introduce the advisers I have with me: Emma Kokar, Executive Director, Road and Marine Services; Jon Whelan, Chief Executive, Department for Infrastructure and Transport; Superintendent Darren Fielke from SAPOL; Sarah Clark, Director, Road Safety; and Assistant Commissioner Noel Bamford. Can I thank all of those people both within the department and SAPOL and within the broader South Australian community for the work they undertake and for their advocacy for safer roads.

I acknowledge that this is one of those matters, one of those policy areas, that does command support from across the state, across the political divide, and I thank all of those individuals all pulling in the same direction as we vigorously and unashamedly pursue our goal, both here in South Australia and nationally, to reduce road fatalities.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Thank you to all the agency staff who work hard to ensure our roads are as safe as possible for people who travel on them. I will start with Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, Agency Statements, page 119. I will kick off with mobile phone detection cameras. I note there was a slight delay in the rollout and the work of those cameras from 2023 to 2024. How is that progressing and how many mobile phone detection cameras has the department landed on, where will they be placed and what are they expected to bring in by way of revenue? While they are a deterrent for poor driver behaviour, how much are they expected to bring in?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will walk through all parts of the member's question—if I miss any, please do not hesitate to pull me up. As for the specific number of cameras, I advise that the procurement has not finalised on that. I can advise, as the member would no doubt be aware, in addition to the capital contained in the previous budget to purchase mobile phone detection cameras, there has been in this year's budget an additional $13.4 million allocated to purchase more cameras. I can advise that the anticipated number of cameras that will purchase is 10. I am advised that will provide for additional deterrence but also additional locations in which the mobile detection cameras will be rolled out.

I can advise the member that the locations of the cameras have not yet been determined, advised or finalised. The government will absolutely, on advice from both the department and SAPOL, be advising the community of South Australia well in advance. I truly believe that this is one of those road safety initiatives that will change behaviour—we have seen a demonstration of that in other jurisdictions. I can also reflect on the fact that, whilst nobody anywhere likes to be expiated for speeding, for red-light cameras, for mobile phone use whilst driving, I have been genuinely humbled by the support the community has been throwing behind this government initiative.

There has been a lot of media reporting and a lot of opportunity, both through the passage of this enabling bill or amendments to the act, to enable the rollout of these cameras. I recognise the absolute support of the opposition and the member in his support, but there has been very little public negativity or pushback around this. In saying that, I think the time has come when the community has said that enough is enough when it comes to this type of distracted driving and distracted behaviour, and we know that mobile phones are a massive contributor to distracted driving and the associated trauma that distracted driving causes on our roads. I have some projections with respect to revenue and some further metrics to the member's question.

I am advised that the additional expenditure allocated in this year's budget as part of our $98 million road safety package includes investing expenditure of $3.6 million for the purchase and installation of these additional mobile phone detection cameras in 2023-24, and the measure provides operating expenditure of $1.5 million for SAPOL for 2023-24, increasing to $2.7 million per annum from 2024-25 for the implementation and ongoing maintenance of these additional mobile phone detection cameras.

The additional cameras are projected to increase expiation revenue by $7.6 million in 2023-24, increasing to $21.1 million per annum indexed from 2026-27, although as I have already indicated, this may vary significantly. I hope it varies significantly, depending upon driver change and behavioural change as a result of the deployment of this new technology.

The expiation revenue is collected by South Australia Police on behalf of the government. SAPOL treats the collected expiation revenue pursuant to the requirements of the Expiation of Offences Act 1996, and other relevant legislation, and specifically in relation to revenue from mobile phone detection cameras, the moneys collected will be paid exclusively into the community road safety fund to invest in road safety for our community.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Referring to the same item, will those mobile phone detection cameras be fully operational by June 2024?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: My advice is yes.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: On the same budget line, I know there has been some conjecture around the nation in regard to these, and I am just wondering where we landed on privacy? Referring to the same item, how will the minister ensure that there are no breaches of the Privacy Act in enforcing the mobile phone detection cameras, and on what basis and where will they be deployed? You mentioned that there are some locations in mind. How will that advice be formulated?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am aware, as the member has flagged, of some of that commentary and reporting from other jurisdictions. I can advise that the mobile phone detection camera location processes and selection process does involve an analysis of road crash data, traffic volumes and road design as well as the existing variable message sign infrastructure and practical operational feasibility. It is the case that the plan for a contract of supply will be finalised in 2023, which will allow for the deployment of the cameras, as questioned by the member, by 2024.

In direct answer to questions regarding the Privacy Act, I can advise that privacy will be protected in the same way that images and registration information is currently obtained by SAPOL. Those images that are currently obtained by SAPOL are by way of longstanding arrangements in place with speed cameras and red-light cameras. This is in accordance with the information and privacy principles detailed in the short guide to the information and privacy principles on the State Records website, and also the South Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 117, new projects, regarding regional road safety infrastructure scheduled to be completed by end of June 2023 at a cost of $2.5 million: I am just wondering what that project entailed. I trust that it was completed on time and on budget—new projects, regional road safety infrastructure.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can advise the member that that forms part of the $98 million package announced in the budget, including new infrastructure projects with the Mount Barker roundabout upgrade, the Adelaide Road/Alexandrina Road/Wellington Road/Flaxley Road intersection, equating to $40 million; regional road safety infrastructure of $10 million over the forward estimates at around $2.5 million per annum; and additional mobile phone detection cameras as previously advised. The road safety package also includes ongoing operating expenditure for the following:

Kangaroo Island road maintenance of $6.2 million over the forward estimates;

additional road safety campaigns of 6.2 over the forward estimates;

Rider Safe program reform of $3.8 million over the forward estimates; and

half a million over the forward estimates for the ultra high-powered vehicle licensing scheme.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: We might touch on the Mount Barker issue. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 120, road safety package—regional. Is the minister able to advise what share of the 2023-24 budget is dedicated to the Mount Barker roundabout upgrade announced earlier this month? I am curious: how was that was prioritised above other what you could call high impact and urgent road safety infrastructure needs? Was that a decision of government? How did you arrive at that particular roundabout upgrade, as opposed to other urgent road safety infrastructure needs?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I thank the member for his question. Outside of advising, as I already have, the publicly available information regarding the $40 million that has been allocated to that particular project, I advise him that that would be a question for the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. It is a matter for Minister Koutsantonis. I am not advised, nor am I aware, of the work that was undertaken in respect of that particular selection.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 142, in relation to highlights. I refer to the new powers that have been given to police officers to cancel licences and also immediately remove drug-affected drivers and dangerous or reckless drivers from the road on the spot. I am curious as to how many drivers have been removed and had their licences cancelled under those new laws and how many of those are related to drug offences? Do you have any data on that? If not, you could take it on notice.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can provide some advice to the member, particularly regarding the breakdown of drug detection. I note that, as of 11 May 2023, there were 1,544 positive tests for THC with no other drug present, 1,949 tested positive for methamphetamine with no other drug present, 23 tested positive to MDMA with no other drug present, 754 tested positive to methamphetamine and THC together, 13 tested positive to THC and MDMA together, 19 tested positive to methamphetamine and MDMA together and 12 tested positive to all those prescribed drugs together. In addition to that, there are 150 oral fluid samples that are currently pending analysis.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: So those people had their licences cancelled?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can advise that, as of 11 May, 956 drivers have been issued with an immediate loss of licence for those drug offences.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Under those new laws? Excellent. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, Agency Statements, page 142, highlights, sixth dot point. What was the outcome of consultation with the community on speed limits on beaches and on access by personal mobility devices and what plans does the government have in those two areas?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry? Was the member's question about personal mobility devices on beaches?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Let's do beaches first and then go to mobility devices because I know the departments love them.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: On the first part of the question that the member asks regarding the speed limit on beaches, I can confirm that consultation closed on 17 March 2023. That consultation canvassed four options: a default beach speed limit of 40 km/h, a default beach speed limit of 25 km/h, a default beach speed limit of 40 km/h and 25 km/h when passing or within 100 metres of a pedestrian and a further option, the fourth, of no change at all to the default speed limits.

I can advise that the YourSAy survey received 2,651 responses, being, as I am advised, a very high number of responses, and I thank all of those participants in that survey. A consultation outcomes report has been prepared and will soon be made publicly available through the YourSAy SA website. As for the member's question, particularly around timing, I can advise that any consideration of that and any potential change to the default speed limit on beaches will require a variation to existing regulations and that is likely to occur in the second half of 2023.

So the consideration of and any potential regulation change would likely occur in the second half of 2023, which we are in now—so now. And personal mobility devices?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes, of course.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Of course.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: How is that going?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Good.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: When are we going to see the bill?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Are you riding around on them?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: No, I am still waiting. I am still waiting for my private one—maybe by Christmas.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Stick to the jet skis. You look good on a jet ski.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Thank you. Yes, how is that going?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can advise that the consultation for the personal mobility devices closed on 21 May 2023. At the conclusion of that there were over 1,500 YourSAy survey completions received. In addition there were 55 email and phone submissions made as well. The outcomes of the public consultation will be considered alongside the recommendations made by the parliamentary Select Committee on Public and Active Transport in determining a future framework for mobility devices.

Again, in terms of likely time frames for the member, I can advise that the consultation report is currently being collated by the department and that consideration of that will likely occur, again, in 2023.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, Agency Statements, page 117, new safety cameras: I saw some cameras at Marryatville High School this morning, so I know there was significant movement there today, but what took so long to move on that? Obviously, the incident occurred in March and it took until basically today for the government to make an announcement in terms of red-light cameras. What took so long to make that decision?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I note that, as I advised the house I think last week in response to a similar question, the government needed to consider a number of different pieces of advice. There is of course the advice from our experts—the department as well as SAPOL—in respect of the placement of these cameras and this technology.

The second part of that is to ensure—which did occur parallel with the advice that was forthcoming—the appropriate placement of a camera at the location at Marryatville High School so that it would not compromise the operation of the other cameras about 500 metres either side of that pedestrian actuated crossing. That was very important. We did not feel it to be an optimal outcome to put one camera there and then compromise the operation of those other cameras.

Further, I am also cognisant of the court's interpretation of the offending time line in continuum where multiple detections are occurring within a short space, so the advice was very important to ensure that of course if we are placing cameras in any location, they are doing their job and that people who are doing the wrong thing are not getting a free kick or a free ride by virtue of the fact that they are placed too close together.

I also recognise that additional work has already been undertaken in the vicinity of that location with early warning signage. I think the member would recognise the very high visibility signage which has been undertaken and already installed out there. That happened with some significant urgency. Further, there are six—five other, six in total—improvements that have been authorised and will be undertaken by the department. I am advised that some of those works have already been undertaken and some of them are occurring. Some of them will occur over the next couple of weeks.

With school holidays coming up it became opportune for the works to be undertaken when there was less volume in the area, so I can advise that all of the following will be undertaken by the time school is returned in, I think, three weeks' time. That includes the wrapping of the traffic signal poles in a red and white stripe, the installation of target boards on the primary and tertiary traffic signal groups, black backing boards with a white border to provide greater prominence, and the installation of red hoop signs prior to the push buttons on each side of the Kensington Road, advising pedestrians to stop, look, listen and think. This is particularly designed to encourage pedestrians to check for vehicles before entering the road. The stop bar will be relocated to be six metres from the cross walk to meet current standards, and additional new in-pavement stop bar detection loops will be installed.

It is also important to note the impact this trauma has had on the school community. It is very clear to me, from my discussions and meetings with members of the community and school leaders, that it has had a profound impact, and particularly also some of the media interest has had an impact on the students. I do want to commend the school community for their resilience, for their tenacity in the face of this adversity, but also, as has been described to me by the principal as well as the chair of the governing council, for their extraordinary pulling together of the school community around these two students who were very severely injured, and their families and their friends and their schoolmates.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Referring to that same item, I understand that, following the very sad incident that occurred, DIT conducted an audit of crossings in the Adelaide area. I am just wondering, minister, are you able to advise of the status of that audit and any associated expenditure, and is the minister able to advise how many crossings will also be upgraded/serviced, as a consequence of that audit if it has been concluded? If it has not been concluded, when will it be concluded, and will that audit be released?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can advise that that has been completed. The works have been completed. Almost exclusively, all those works were somewhat minor in nature, involving some pruning of foliage or otherwise. Some of that was the responsibility of the department, some of it was local council controlled but, notwithstanding that, was undertaken by the department and its contractors. Some of those sites had minor signage improvements or upgrades, as has been the case with multiple improvements across our entire network that are done on a periodic basis by the department. I do not have a particular line item for cost for the member, but I can advise that it is somewhat minor and within the existing budget of the department.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I refer you to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, Agency Statements, page 144, performance indicators, number of road fatalities. We all know that this year, obviously, we have seen a terrible increase in road fatalities compared with, say, the same time last year. What analysis has been done to assess the cause of that unfortunate increase, and what measures are being taken to address that, particularly as it pertains to this year?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Recognising that it is coming to the conclusion of this committee, I will undertake to provide on notice a particularly fulsome answer for the member. I think it is an important question and one that is important to adequately communicate. The member is correct in his reflections that it has been a bad 2023; it is a shocker. It should shock people and should there and would there and if there were to be just a single cause of this, then the solution and the remedial action would be so much more simple.

The reality is that on a number of fronts there are factors that are occurring that are killing people and causing people to die on our roads, including, as I reflected before, younger people who are continuing to make bad decisions. I say that because there is a high proportion of deaths on our roads in 2023 that involve single-vehicle crashes and that also includes motorcyclists, as well as regional drivers.

Perhaps on notice with a more comprehensive answer, I can provide the member some advice regarding the response in regard to the specific campaigns that have been launched and articulated, one of which in particular is the motorcycle campaign, directly targeting those people on our roads who love to ride, love the freedom of riding but, in a desperately sad way, are behaving in a way that is beyond their capability or dangerously that is killing them or causing serious injury.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Do we have time for one more?

The CHAIR: Alright, I will be very generous: one more.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: What a sport, thank you, Chair. Thank you for your generosity. Referring to highlights again, given the escalating road maintenance backlog and the deteriorating state of our roads and the impact on driver safety, are you able to advise what the total investment was in the joint commonwealth and state-funded road safety stimulus program in 2022-23, and what is budgeted in 2023-24?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is a terrible shame that the member has asked that question because that is a matter for the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I thought you would say that but I thought I would have a crack while I have you all here.

The CHAIR: On that final note, the allotted time having expired, I declare the examination of the portfolio of Road Safety completed. The examination of the proposed payments for South Australia Police and the Administered Items for South Australia Police are now complete. The examination of the proposed payments for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and Administered Items for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is adjourned until Wednesday 5 July.

I would just like to thank all of the agencies for all the work you do in trying to keep us safe on our roads—it is incredibly valuable work that has a real-world impact—and I would also like to thank you for all of the work you have to do in the lead-up to estimates. I want to thank the opposition for the incredibly civil manner in which they have gone about proceedings. It has been very good and has made my job as Chair very easy indeed. I also have sympathy with the long-suffering members of the backbench who have to sit there for hours and hours.


At 14:49 the committee adjourned to Tuesday 4 July 2023 at 09:00.


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