Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (03:42): (2609) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action I seek concerns the future of the Transport Accident Commission L2P learner-driver mentor program in Greater Geelong. This is an excellent program. It is practical and targeted and it meets a real need. For many young people in regional communities a drivers licence is not a luxury. It is a serious issue in my electorate. It is often the difference between getting to work or missing out, taking up an apprenticeship, attending TAFE or being cut off from opportunity. That is why L2P matters in Geelong, the Surf Coast and Golden Plains. It helps young people without access to a supervising driver or suitable vehicle to gain the supervised driving hours required for a probationary licence. It is also a road safety program, helping young people to learn safely rather than being pushed toward unsafe and unlicensed driving.

I particularly acknowledge the mayor of Greater Geelong Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj OAM, who has written to the minister on this issue. Mayor Kontelj rightly says the city has delivered one of Victoria’s largest L2P programs, highlighting the scale of supervised driving hours delivered, the contribution of volunteer mentors and the program’s importance in reducing unlicensed driving and improving access to employment, education and training for young people. Since 2009 Greater Geelong’s program has helped 662 learners achieve their licence, supported by more than 60,000 volunteer mentor hours. In 2024–25 it managed 235 learners, delivered an average of 457 supervised hours per month, processed 248 applications and supported 74 licence outcomes. Yet demand is outstripping capacity, with around 180 young people waiting. Mayor Kontelj says the challenges continue to intensify, with rising costs, constrained funding flexibility and performance measures that do not reflect non-linear learner engagement or regional delivery realities. He says that further funding is required and that reform is necessary to maintain program quality, support the volunteer workforce and ensure equitable access for young people across the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Golden Plains shires. Minister, the action I seek is that you meet with mayor Stretch Kontelj and the City of Greater Geelong and commit to a sustainable funding model for TAC L2P, including multiyear funding, proper indexation, recognition of participant complexity and adequate support for volunteers, administration and compliance.