The Legislative Assembly yesterday voted to introduce the Canberra Liberal’s Random Roadside Drug Testing (RRDT) bill into law. This is a tremendous result for ACT road users and finally brings the ACT into line with the rest of Australia.
This legislation will give police powers to prevent some of the carnage on our roads caused by drivers being impaired by illicit drugs. I now urge the Government to move swiftly to start testing for drug driver in the ACT.
RRDT legislation has been opposed by Jon Stanhope since 2005 when he described it as ‘Redneck’ policy. It is not surprising that he has been so reluctant to engage constructively in debating this legislation and politicise what is a important road safety initiative. Now that he has seen the will of the Assembly and the will of the community, I hope that he puts his pride and political opportunism behind him and implements this legislation quickly.
I welcomed the support of the community and was very pleased to yesterday have the support of Alison Ryan, who tragically lost her daughter, Amy, to a drug driver in 2008. Alison’s personal story has motivated me to push ahead with this legislation against vitriolic opposition from Jon Stanhope.
I also welcomed the support of the Australian Federal Police Association;
"The AFPA applauds the measures introduced in this Bill, those measures will aid our members in exercising their duties to the community as professional police officers. This Bill will save lives by getting drug affected drivers off the streets of Canberra.”
“I am also confident that with the amendments, this Bill will also address the issues raised recently in media by the ACT Chief Police Officer which were based on an earlier version of the Bill.” (Jon Hunt-Sharman, President AFPA)
Canberra’s road users were the winners yesterday and I have no doubt that this legislation will 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 have our own legislation here in the ACT.
Read more in my press release here: RRDT Passes Into Law With Police Association And Community Support |
