[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Greens Push for Double-Demerits Trial Defeated_T Morris MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GREENS BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED AS LABOR REJECTS DOUBLE DEMERIT TRIAL OVER
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
 
Another Positive Suggestion Rejected by Bartlett Labor
 
Tim Morris MP
Greens Shadow Infrastructure spokesperson

Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens described as 'bitterly disappointing' the Bartlett
Labor government's rejection and defeat of the Greens' motion to trial a
double-demerit system for offending Tasmanian drivers during the summer
holiday period, despite authorities recently expressing frustration over
the unsafe driving practices of so many Tasmanians.

Greens Shadow Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said all road
safety stakeholders recognise that the numbers of driving infringements
and offences against road safety are not reducing, and in some cases are
on the rise, and that a new approach to the intractable problem of road
safety is required.

"I congratulate the Liberal Party for choosing to support this
initiative, but I am extremely disappointed in the Bartlett government's
decision to reject this trial without offering any positive suggestions
of their own," said Mr Morris.

"Everyone recognises that there is a problem on Tasmanian roads, so what
have we got to lose by having a double-demerit trial over the summer
holiday?" 

"The rates of traffic offences and cautions are rising steadily in
Tasmania, as are the numbers of people detected using hand-held
telephones when driving, while the rates of drivers detected speeding or
driving without due care and attention are static [i] - the unchanging,
or rising, nature of these figures, over a period of years, points to
the need for a tougher approach towards driving infringements."

"The Bartlett Labor government's rejection of a double-demerit trial
shows they do not really care about the current rates of road traffic
infringements and they won't be doing anything different anytime soon."

"It is all well and good for the Labor to vote down the Greens' positive
proposal to trial a new system aimed at increasing road safety for all
users, but what exactly are they proposing to do instead?" 

"The Labor Party regularly criticises the Greens as being 'negative' and
'anti-everything,' but when we put up practical and positive suggestions
they reject them without presenting any positive ideas of their own,"
said Mr Morris.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
[i] Department of Police and Emergency Management, Annual Report
2007-08, 10 October 2008, p38-39.




Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.