ASSEMBLY VOTES FOR LIBERALS RANDOM ROADSIDE DRUG TESTING BILL
After years of arguing and continued opposition from Jon Stanhope for the need for Random Roadside Drug Testing (RRDT), the ACT Legislative Assembly today voted in-principle for the Canberra Liberal’s RRDT legislation. This is a victory for Canberra’s road users and a victory for common sense, Shadow Minister for Police, Jeremy Hanson, said today.
“The Legislation will be debated in detail at a later stage, but today’s vote provides support for RRDT and sends a clear message to people who drive on our roads under the influence of drugs that their behaviour is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated,” Mr Hanson said.
“RRDT has been opposed by Jon Stanhope since 2005 when he described the legislation as ‘Redneck’ legislation. The Chief Minister failed to meet his promised deadline to act on this issue by today, and was forced to apologise in the Assembly for failing to deliver any form of RRDT legislation.
“Now that we have agreement for RRDT in principle, I call on Jon Stanhope to put aside his own politically motivated opposition to this legislation. I look forward to working with the Government and incorporating any useful contribution they have to this legislation. Obviously that is a process that needs to occur quickly.
“This legislation is based upon the Victorian legislation which has been in use for over six years. Approximately 50,000 RRDT were successfully conducted in Victoria last year and today’s agreement in principle in the Assembly takes the ACT a great step forward to conducting its own tests.
“Canberra’s road users are the winners today and I have no doubt that this legislation will ultimately make our roads safer and will save lives. RRDT has been implemented in every other State and Territory in Australia and it is great to finally get Assembly support for this important road safety legislation in Canberra,” Jeremy Hanson said.
5 May 2010
