Opposition Leader Shane Love has condemned the Cook Labor Government for failing to
act on urgently needed road safety reforms for provisional drivers, revealing the proposed
changes could be implemented immediately without legislative hurdles.
“Today in Parliament it was confirmed no new legislation is required to enforce stricter
controls on P-Plate drivers,” Mr Love said.
“Road Safety Minister David Michael said today the Government could amend the
regulations with the stroke of a pen. My question to the Minister is, if it’s this simple why has
the Cook Labor Government continued to drag its heels?”
“Ministers took great pains today to claim any reforms were ‘under consideration’, though if
changes can be made overnight as Minister Michael suggested, I ask why this Government
is stuck considering when they could be acting.”
Mr Love also criticised the Government for their inaction since the road safety summit on
September 2.
“Since the highly touted road safety summit, 27 more lives have been tragically lost on WA
roads,” Mr Love said.
“Seven weeks have passed, and instead of taking swift action to introduce new measures
to improve the safety of P-Plate drivers and passengers, the Government has offered
nothing but hollow words.”
“As we head into Leavers’ Week and the Christmas holiday period – two critical times on
our roads – still no action has been taken.”
“This Government is dithering while people are dying on our roads.”
Mr Love said the Opposition supported the changes being proposed by community
members who had lost loved ones on WA roads, to limit the number of passengers P-Plate
drivers can carry at night.
“Every other State has implemented these common-sense restrictions.”
“WA already has a curfew for red P-Plates, so extending this to include passenger limits is a
logical and practical step. It’s time for WA to catch up with the rest of the country.”
“The Government has the means to act now, and I call on them to urgently outline their
proposed changes and put them into place as a top priority.”
