Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Statements on tabled papers and petitions

Road safety camera commissioner

Report 2021–22

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:15): Tonight I want to talk about the road safety camera commissioner annual report 2021–22, and I rise today to speak on the exceptional work done by the Allan Labor government to reduce injuries and deaths on Victorian roads, as highlighted in the recent report from the Victorian road safety camera commissioner Mr Neville Taylor APM. I commend the work of the former Minister for Police Minister Neville and the former Minister for Roads and Road Safety in the other place Minister Carroll for assisting the work of Mr Taylor in producing the road safety camera commissioner annual report 2021–22. I would also like to acknowledge the work of my colleagues in Parliament the Minister for Police in the other place Minister Carbines and the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in the other place Minister Horne in supporting the ongoing execution of our government’s strategy on road safety.

Countless Victorians have faced the devastating impacts of road trauma. Too many loved ones have been lost to driving accidents. In 2023 the death toll is sitting at 225 as of midnight 15 October and up from 196 last year. Tragically, many of these accidents were entirely preventable. It is imperative that we have effective deterrence measures in place on our roads to prevent this. Road safety cameras make a big difference. An expansive and fit-for-purpose road safety camera network is a vital precursory measure to decrease reckless and illegal driving behaviour on our roads, and our government is committed to increasing public confidence in our programs.

In March 2021 our government fully endorsed the recommendations of the inquiry into the increase in Victoria’s 2019 road toll to improve public confidence in the speed camera system. As community representatives, we know that building trust within our community is integral for the success of these programs. That is why our government is committed to the three pillars of the road safety program: integrity, transparency and community confidence.

We have invested heavily in improving technology and accuracy, installing new camera networks and ensuring the timely publication of camera data. As such, I draw upon the annual report to highlight what our government is doing to reduce road trauma and fatalities. Distracted drivers are a major contribution to serious and fatal collisions in the state, and the Allan Labor government has invested $33.7 million in new camera technology as part of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 to detect illegal mobile phone use and seatbelt offences. Enforcement by these cameras began on 1 July 2023, and throughout July and August almost 15,000 offences were detected over 6000 camera hours. Drivers caught using mobile phones or portable devices will face a fine of $577 and a loss of four demerit points. Drivers or passengers detected not using or wearing their seatbelts correctly will receive a $385 fine and lose three demerit points. We have also committed $49 million to installing fixed cameras at 35 dangerous intersections sites and two point-to-point highway camera systems.

Fixed digital cameras are also being tested and certified annually. Cameras found to be non-compliant with maintenance standards are deactivated immediately and undergo diligent verification before reactivation. Since the publication of the report the department now has replaced all analog red-light cameras with digital cameras, as promised, and the upgrade of the Hume Highway instantaneous point-to-point road safety camera network is steadily underway, with the completion of two of those new sites extending the network to Seymour and Euroa. I applaud the incredible work of all parties involved in upgrading the network and the Allan Labor government for our significant investment in these projects.

These numerous advancements in our road safety camera network will undoubtedly save thousands of lives over the next few decades through the publication of speed camera information on the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Cameras Save Lives website, including infringement statistics, regularly updated camera site lists and an opportunity for the public to submit nominations for cameras in their community. Our government is committed to ensuring that the public has faith in our camera network.

I commend the tireless work of the road safety camera commissioner, the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Allan Labor government, who are saving lives on our roads. By ensuring all three key pillars of integrity, transparency and community confidence in our road safety camera programs, we have shown our commitment to reducing deaths on Victorian roads. As the former branch secretary of the transport union’s Vic/Tas branch and president of the national union, I have dedicated my life to safety, the proper functioning of our roads and those who use them. Road transport is Australia’s deadliest industry, and in my new role in the Victorian Parliament I will continue to fight for safe freight, safe roads and safe skies, because no family should be left without a loved one. I commend the report to the floor.