The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (11:35): I thank those members who have contributed to the debate on the bill. I also would like to thank the Department for Infrastructure and Transport for their work in developing the bill. In the interests of time, I will keep my remarks brief.
This bill reflects a very balanced approach between mobility and road safety with the inclusion of exemptions to allow young people who reside in the regions to gain a motorcycle learner's permit prior to turning 18 years of age to attend tertiary education, vocational education and training for work purposes, or to participate in a sporting activity. Holders of a provisional licence for a car will also be eligible to obtain a motorcycle learner's permit from 17 years of age.
The bill also provides for a staged learning approach by adding a number of restrictions to motorcycle learner's permit holders such as no passengers, no towing trailers and, for all permit holders under 25 years, night-time riding restrictions between midnight and 5am. It restricts the holder of an R-Date licence classification from riding with any alcohol in their system, regardless of the type of licence that they hold.
Broadly, the bill intends to create a genuine GLS for all novice riders, with restrictions gradually lifted through each stage prior to being able to ride a high-powered motorcycle. Whilst young riders have been a focus in this bill, these initiatives will benefit novice riders of all ages and should contribute to what is a safer cohort of fully licensed riders once they have successfully completed the GLS.
Community feedback on the CASR recommendations from the 2018 YourSAy survey indicated that raising the age for a person to gain a learner's permit for a motorcycle to 18 could significantly impact on employment or education opportunities for young people in regional areas. Stakeholders from the agricultural industry identified the need for provisions for young people involved in farming in particular. Having listened to the needs of regional communities, and after careful consideration, an exemption for young regional riders was drafted for inclusion in the bill, with riding limited to education and economic purposes in recognition of the limited transport options in regional areas.
I thank all members for their contributions to the debate and certainly for the constructive manner in which they have advocated for their communities. It is my belief we cannot afford any further delay in passing this very important reform. I note the indication of support on behalf of the opposition by the member for Elizabeth and I thank him for that. I hope that such support extends to the other place. I commend the bill to the house.
Bill read a second time.
