Mr WOOD - 2010-05-06
Recently, in the NT News, it was stated the first Territorian had an alcohol ignition lock fitted to his car. How will you assess the effectiveness of the program if only one alcohol ignition lock has been fitted in 12 months? Your department’s Information Bulletin L14 states: ‘At the end of your AIL period you may apply for a licence without an AIL condition’. In Victoria, data is downloaded from an AIL and given to the court as a compliance assessment report to see how many times a driver has been trying to start the car under the influence, or if there has been any tampering with the lock. The court then decides if the driver should be given a licence. Why does the Territory not do the same?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, alcohol ignition locks are one of a raft of initiatives introduced by the Henderson government to address the unacceptable high rates of drink-driving within the Northern Territory.
It is important, in answering this question to point out that, based on world’s best practice and advice from the George Institute, it is about changing driver culture. This does not happen overnight.
We are talking about a device, a tool to change the culture of driver behaviour. Drink-driving is a problem; we acknowledge that. This is why, in April last year, the government introduced …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I believe the member for Araluen made a quite unsavoury remark there. I ask her to withdraw.
Ms Carney: What? I will not!
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex! Member for Araluen, I am not aware of what you said, given …
Ms Carney: Neither am I, Madam Speaker.
Dr BURNS: When the member for Barkly was referring to tools, she asked: ‘Have you got one?’
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That was not the member for Araluen, that was me. I did not say that, I just repeated the word ‘tool’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please pause.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not always come in to these points of order, but I did clearly hear the member for Araluen say what the Leader of Government Business said.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker, if I may speak to that point of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat, member for Araluen. What I will say, honourable members, is that …
Mr Conlan: You are a liar too, Bungles.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: And you are on a warning as well for the number of interjections, including speaking when I am speaking.
We will stop the clock at the moment, thank you.
Honourable members, there is a ridiculous number of interjections, not allowing the minister to answer the question. I remind you of Standing Order 51:
Unfortunately, I was unable to hear the particular interjection, possibly because of the large number of very loud interjections which were happening over here. I will not ask the member for Araluen to withdraw, even though I have asked other members to withdraw comments although I have not heard them. On this occasion, I will not.
Ms Carney: I am happy to repeat it, Madam Speaker, it was the interpretation …
Madam SPEAKER: No, I do not think so. Member for Araluen, resume your seat. Minister for Transport, have you finished your response?
Mr McCARTHY: No, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: You may continue.
Mr McCARTHY: As of 7 April 2010, the courts have imposed 756 AIL periods. To date, five offenders have become eligible, one offender has elected to take up the AIL ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: There are now two AIL service providers in the Northern Territory, Guardian Interlock Systems Australasia Pty Ltd and Draeger Safety Pacific Pty Ltd. Both have suppliers and installers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. The suppliers record all the information in relation to the operation of the devices and any violations. The system downloads the data when the device is serviced at scheduled times …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, alcohol ignition locks are one of a raft of initiatives introduced by the Henderson government to address the unacceptable high rates of drink-driving within the Northern Territory.
It is important, in answering this question to point out that, based on world’s best practice and advice from the George Institute, it is about changing driver culture. This does not happen overnight.
We are talking about a device, a tool to change the culture of driver behaviour. Drink-driving is a problem; we acknowledge that. This is why, in April last year, the government introduced …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I believe the member for Araluen made a quite unsavoury remark there. I ask her to withdraw.
Ms Carney: What? I will not!
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex! Member for Araluen, I am not aware of what you said, given …
Ms Carney: Neither am I, Madam Speaker.
Dr BURNS: When the member for Barkly was referring to tools, she asked: ‘Have you got one?’
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That was not the member for Araluen, that was me. I did not say that, I just repeated the word ‘tool’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please pause.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not always come in to these points of order, but I did clearly hear the member for Araluen say what the Leader of Government Business said.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker, if I may speak to that point of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat, member for Araluen. What I will say, honourable members, is that …
Mr Conlan: You are a liar too, Bungles.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: And you are on a warning as well for the number of interjections, including speaking when I am speaking.
We will stop the clock at the moment, thank you.
Honourable members, there is a ridiculous number of interjections, not allowing the minister to answer the question. I remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse allowed or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Unfortunately, I was unable to hear the particular interjection, possibly because of the large number of very loud interjections which were happening over here. I will not ask the member for Araluen to withdraw, even though I have asked other members to withdraw comments although I have not heard them. On this occasion, I will not.
Ms Carney: I am happy to repeat it, Madam Speaker, it was the interpretation …
Madam SPEAKER: No, I do not think so. Member for Araluen, resume your seat. Minister for Transport, have you finished your response?
Mr McCARTHY: No, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: You may continue.
Mr McCARTHY: As of 7 April 2010, the courts have imposed 756 AIL periods. To date, five offenders have become eligible, one offender has elected to take up the AIL ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: There are now two AIL service providers in the Northern Territory, Guardian Interlock Systems Australasia Pty Ltd and Draeger Safety Pacific Pty Ltd. Both have suppliers and installers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. The suppliers record all the information in relation to the operation of the devices and any violations. The system downloads the data when the device is serviced at scheduled times …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016