Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Transport and Public Works Committee
Vote on a motion
Vote on the procedural motion by the Leader of the House to treat the two bills as cognate bills with the Minister and Leader of the Opposition speaking for 30 minutes each, allowing them to be debated together with separate questions for second/third readings.
The motion was agreed to.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
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Ayes (44)
Noes (39)
▸14 members spoke13 support1 mixed
As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, introduced and strongly advocated for the bill, emphasising the digital licence app will provide Queenslanders with convenient digital access to credentials, and camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences will save lives.
“The initiatives in this bill are future focused and timely. The main initiatives in this bill will legislate for the use of a digital licence and support the introduction and ongoing operation of a digital licence app and also enable camera enforcement of seatbelt and mobile phone distraction offences.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
As Shadow Minister for Transport, stated the LNP does not oppose the bill, supporting the digital licence app and camera enforcement while highlighting concerns about privacy protections and land access provisions.
“Overall, the LNP appreciates that advances in technology have helped make the delivery of a more convenient and efficient way for people to interact with government easier. In addition, we recognise that many benefits will flow from targeted road safety measures.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
As Committee Chair, fully supported the bill's objectives including the digital licence app and camera enforcement, noting that one in four people killed in vehicle accidents is not wearing a seatbelt.
“The Palaszczuk government is committed to road safety. Every life lost on our roads is one life too many, so we make no apology for cracking down on distracted driving and enforcing our road safety laws.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the introduction of camera detection for mobile phone and seatbelt offences to reduce road trauma, particularly noting tragic road incidents in the western suburbs of Brisbane.
“Anything that can be done to minimise or eliminate such accidents certainly deserves to be considered.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
As Minister for Police, strongly supported camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences, explaining the robust processes involving artificial intelligence detection followed by Queensland Police Service adjudication.
“Community safety is paramount. This principle is at the forefront of everything this government does. The bill before the House will enhance road safety and save lives.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the digital licence app and camera enforcement, noting that in 2018 there were over 27,000 tickets issued for mobile phone offences in Queensland.
“I welcome any initiatives that will reduce the road trauma from distracted driving and seatbelt offences.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the bill's digital licence app provisions and camera enforcement measures, citing the work of road safety advocate Nyree Mannion whose sister Sharon sustained catastrophic injuries in a car accident.
“The introduction of a digital licence app will provide Queenslanders the opportunity to engage digitally with Queensland government services.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the disability parking provisions but expressed significant concerns about the digital licence app, particularly regarding privacy, data sharing with the Commonwealth's National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution, and partnership with foreign-owned company Thales.
“In Queensland we urgently need increased oversight and regulation by independent statutory commissioners, particularly around the areas of consent, retention, sharing and use of people's biometric information. Until that happens, all bills like this should be rejected.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the camera technology trial for detecting mobile phone and seatbelt offences, noting that in the first month of operation in NSW, over 10,000 fines were issued.
“The minister has made it very clear that putting the latest technology to use in Queensland will significantly improve road safety outcomes in our state.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the technology to enable better enforcement of seatbelt and mobile phone offences, acknowledging the digital licence app as a wonderful innovation in the public interest.
“To all of my constituents I say this: please do not use your mobile phones when driving. It takes only a split second of inattention to cause a tragedy that can never be rewound.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the digital licence app and camera enforcement amendments to save lives and reduce road trauma.
“The introduction of the digital licence app will provide Queenslanders the opportunity to engage digitally with Queensland government services.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the digital licence app as a good initiative, though expressed scepticism about Labor's track record with technology projects. Supported increased penalties for seatbelt and mobile phone offences.
“The use of a mobile telephone when not hands-free is also very dangerous to the lives of many Queensland drivers and those in the vehicle with them.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the road safety measures, noting that despite 30 per cent drop in traffic volume during COVID-19, risky driving behaviour increased including more speeding and phone use.
“We have a unite and recover plan to keep Queenslanders safe. These bills deliver on the thrust of that plan which is to keep Queenslanders safe.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Supported the digital licence app as a commonsense step forward, noting young people would be keen to take up this option. Agreed camera technology could help reduce offences but emphasised the need for stringent privacy safeguards.
“This move to digital licences is a commonsense step forward in a direction we are already going.”— 2020-07-14View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill introduces the Digital Licence App allowing Queenslanders to carry driver licences and photo ID on their smartphones, and extends automated camera enforcement to catch drivers using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts. It also makes various technical improvements to transport legislation.
Who it affects
All Queensland drivers can now use digital licences, while those who use phones while driving or don't wear seatbelts face significantly higher chances of being caught by automated cameras. Licensed venues must accept digital ID for age verification.
Digital Licence App
Creates the legal framework for Queenslanders to carry digital driver licences and photo ID on their smartphones. The app is voluntary and complements physical cards, giving people choice in how they prove their identity or age.
- Digital driver licences and photo ID cards can be displayed through an approved smartphone app
- Digital credentials must be accepted wherever physical cards are required
- Licensed venues can use digital ID for age verification
- Devices displaying digital credentials cannot be seized by inspectors (only police retain seizure powers)
Camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences
Expands Queensland's camera enforcement program to automatically detect drivers using mobile phones and people not wearing seatbelts. High-definition cameras use machine-learning to identify offences, with police reviewing images before any fine is issued.
- Automated cameras can now detect illegal mobile phone use while driving ($1000 fine, 4 demerit points)
- Cameras can detect drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts ($400 fine, 3 demerit points)
- Images without detected offences are automatically deleted and never seen by humans
- People can still challenge fines through existing review and court processes
Land management and transport corridors
Allows Transport and Main Roads to access private land adjacent to roads for mandatory environmental activities, and preserves existing legal interests when land becomes rail or busway corridor.
- TMR can enter adjacent private land for weed control, pest management and environmental monitoring with 7 days notice
- Easements and other legal interests survive when land is added to rail or busway corridors
- Property owners can make submissions before TMR conducts activities on their land
Drink driving provisions
Minor fixes to recent drink driving reforms to ensure the interlock exemption and education program provisions work as intended.
- First-time mid-range drink drivers can apply for interlock exemption if granted a restricted licence
- Repeat offender education program extension only applies to repeat drink drivers