Transport Legislation (Road Safety and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2022
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Transport and Resources Committee
▸32 members spoke32 support
Strongly supported the bill for modernising road safety funding, allowing proactive investment in road safety improvements.
“I say what a huge supporter I am of this bill and how excited I am to see some of the funding that will be quarantined for road specific projects.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, moved the bill and outlined its key provisions including modernising Camera Detected Offence Program funding, expanding road safety initiatives, and improving motorised mobility device regulations.
“Camera detected offence penalties are not about revenue raising; they are about saving lives and making Queensland roads safer for everyone.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill while criticising the government for the $5.7 billion road maintenance backlog and calling for more detailed data collection on heavy vehicle accidents.
“If the government were serious about improving safety, surely they would collect as much data as possible.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
As shadow transport minister, stated the LNP will not oppose the bill, acknowledging road safety revenue should be quarantined for safety measures, while urging the minister to review the efficacy of road safety programs given the rising road toll.
“The LNP will not be opposing this bill. On first glance, this makes for probably some of the more interesting reading that members in this august chamber would have the privilege of doing.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as a former police officer, emphasising that road crashes are preventable and supporting proactive road safety investment.
“Some 20-odd years ago there was a move away from the term 'traffic accident' to 'traffic crash'. This change foreshadows the belief that these are no accidents.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
As Transport and Resources Committee chair, supports the bill which makes uncontroversial changes including modernising Camera Detected Offence Program language, enhancing evidentiary provisions, and supporting motorised mobility device reforms.
“Our single recommendation was that the bill be passed, so it is no surprise that I am supporting it today.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported road safety measures while calling for better driver education about merging and road courtesy.
“When it comes to driving a vehicle it is a privilege. It is not a right; it is a privilege.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill while highlighting concerns about road safety in regional Queensland, particularly the 84% increase in fatalities in Central Queensland, and called for better digital media campaigns targeting young male country drivers.
“I support the bill. Yes, it is important that we put money towards other educational programs, but let us get to the crux of the matter: if I can make only one contribution it would be to say that we need a digital media campaign for young male country drivers.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill for improving road safety funding allocation.
“Road safety is everybody's responsibility.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill as it focuses on making roads safer, increasing motorised mobility device options for those with disabilities, and improving court processes. Emphasised the importance of seatbelt and mobile phone detection cameras.
“This bill is all about making our roads safer, increasing the range of motorised mobility devices to meet the needs of those with a disability, improving the court process and more.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill while calling for more attention to road safety in regional areas.
“Road safety is an incredibly important issue.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill while highlighting the PCYC Braking the Cycle program and volunteer Paul who has helped 138 people get their licences. Emphasised that revenue from camera detection should remain focused on road safety.
“As we broaden the scope of how this revenue can be spent, it is very important to ensure that that revenue remains focused on safety on our roads.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill for improving road safety outcomes and funding allocation.
“The amendments in this bill will ensure a consistent approach.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill which will improve road safety through amendments allowing expanded funding uses, including working with community groups and employers to influence safe behaviour and deploying anti-hooning technology.
“Road safety is an issue that affects all Queenslanders. So far this year we have lost almost 200 people on Queensland roads. These are not just numbers; they are mums, dads, children, husbands, wives and grandparents.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill while acknowledging that driver behaviour is a major factor in road fatalities.
“The majority of these are a result of driver behaviour.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Will not oppose the bill, acknowledging road safety is paramount while raising concerns about the condition of roads in regional Queensland and the challenges of removing driving licences from elderly people who rely on them.
“Road safety is paramount for all road users, and some of our roads are definitely not in the best condition they could be in to ensure accidents do not occur.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill as a former first responder, emphasising the trauma of road accidents and the need for prevention.
“Road safety is everybody's responsibility.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
As Police Minister, supports the bill and highlighted the history of hypothecated camera revenue since 1996, noting the bipartisan origins when then-minister Vaughan Johnson accepted Labor's Jim Elder amendment to direct funds to road safety.
“Too many lives are being lost on our roads. It is the resolve of everyone in our community, whether it is this parliament, government agencies like the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service, to not only make our roads as safe as possible but also ensure that those people who are operating vehicles on our roads are doing so responsibly.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill's road safety measures.
“I believe that we should be doing all we can to improve road safety.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill's road safety objectives and the amendment providing legal protections for health professionals reporting on medical fitness to drive, while criticising the government's record on road infrastructure in his electorate.
“I acknowledge that the legislation will also amend section 142 in relation to legal protections for health professionals who report on medical fitness to drive.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill's road safety focus while calling for greater investment in regional roads.
“Road safety is everyone's business.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill which clarifies how camera detected offence penalties are invested in road safety, provides legal protections for health professionals, and increases the range of allowable motorised mobility devices.
“Road safety is everyone's responsibility. I urge all Queenslanders to please plan their upcoming school holiday road trips with safety as their first priority.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill for improving road safety funding mechanisms.
“Road safety is everyone's business. We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill, particularly welcoming the broadened criteria for spending camera detected offence revenue on road safety improvements before deaths occur, not just at locations where accidents have already happened.
“Perhaps the change I am most interested in is the one that will allow the funding to be used for infrastructure safety improvements.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supported the bill while emphasising the high road toll in his electorate and calling for the maintenance backlog to be addressed.
“Callide has the highest road toll in Queensland, according to the RACQ, and this is a statistic I take very seriously as the member for Callide.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill based on his three decades of experience responding to road accidents in North Queensland. Praised road safety investments in Townsville and the introduction of cameras to catch speeders in school zones.
“This is an incredibly important bill to improve road safety and reduce road trauma in our state.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
As Minister, delivered the reply supporting the bill for enabling proactive road safety investment and innovation including speed cameras in school zones and construction sites.
“If you are speeding through a school zone, we should throw the book at you as far as I am concerned.”— 2022-08-31View Hansard
Supports the bill while highlighting that her electorate has the second highest road fatalities in the region. Made a personal plea for young people to slow down, put phones away, and drive to conditions.
“I am happy to support this bill, because anything that goes towards improving road safety must be done.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supports the bill drawing on his nursing experience caring for crash survivors in rehabilitation. Welcomed the broader use of camera detected offence revenue for road safety and legal protections for health professionals.
“I am pleased to see that revenue from camera detected offences will be used more broadly for road safety. It is good to see that we are taking a more proactive approach to solve some of these road safety problems.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Will not oppose the bill while expressing grave concern that over 75% of road fatalities occur on rural and regional roads. Criticised the government for Queensland being on track for its worst road toll in history.
“While I will not be opposing this bill, I feel that I must address several elements contained therein focusing on both my work experience and my role as the shadow minister for rural and regional affairs and shadow minister for police.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supports the bill and the amendments to section 117 which allow hypothecated camera revenue funding to address road safety proactively. Praised the historic 1996 Elder amendment that established revenue hypothecation for road safety.
“Since that point, those funds have been linked to road safety funds. These changes are really important, as road safety education and awareness programs and road accident injury rehabilitation programs are new additions.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Supports the bill which will allow road funding to be spent on accident blackspots like the Jindalee bridge in her electorate. Welcomed the bill's language moving away from treating road deaths as an acceptable toll.
“It is great to see this bill in its language support the move away from using words such as 'road toll'. As the minister says, the deaths and fatalities we see on Queensland roads each year are not the price we have to pay for using roads.”— 2022-08-30View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes various transport law changes to improve road safety, support people with mobility needs, and streamline administrative processes. It expands the types of motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters that can be used legally, protects doctors who report unfit drivers, and modernises how speed camera revenue is spent on safety programs.
Who it affects
People using mobility devices gain access to a wider range of scooters and wheelchairs. Drivers may face stricter reporting of medical fitness issues. Landowners near rail projects have clearer processes for repairs and compensation.
Motorised mobility devices
Expands the range of motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters that can be used on footpaths and shared paths. Increases mass limits for mobility scooters from 150kg to 170kg and allows devices capable of up to 15km/h while retaining the 10km/h speed limit on paths.
- Mobility scooter mass limit increased from 150kg to 170kg unladen
- Devices capable of up to 15km/h now permitted (must travel at 10km/h on paths)
- Free registration and compulsory third party insurance extended to more devices
- Motorised mobility device users treated as pedestrians under road rules
Road safety and camera revenue
Modernises how revenue from speed and red light cameras is spent, allowing funding for a broader range of road safety initiatives beyond traditional programs.
- Funding can now support behaviour change programs and community collaboration
- Proactive infrastructure improvements on high-risk roads (not just crash sites)
- Research and trials of new safety technology can be funded
- Terminology updated from 'accident' to 'crash' reflecting modern safety thinking
Medical fitness reporting
Encourages health professionals to report drivers who may be medically unfit to drive by extending legal protections to cover reports about interstate licence holders driving in Queensland.
- Doctors protected from civil liability when reporting fitness concerns about any driver
- Protection covers breach of confidence and defamation claims
- Previously only Queensland licence holders were covered
Vehicle standards and evidence
Makes it easier to prosecute vehicle offences by allowing compliance documents and manufacturer specifications to be used as evidence without calling witnesses.
- Compliance stickers, labels and plates can be evidence without witness testimony
- Manufacturer specifications from websites can be used as evidence
- Defendants can still challenge evidence by giving 14 days notice
Rail project land access
Clarifies that Transport and Main Roads can enter private land to repair damage caused by rail construction, matching existing powers for road and busway projects.
- TMR can enter land to undertake accommodation works for rail projects
- Seven days notice required with opportunity to make submissions
- Landowners retain compensation rights for damage or loss
- Aligns rail projects with road, busway and light rail processes
Digital photo validity for young people
Reduces how long photos taken for blue cards and disability worker screening remain valid for people under 15, ensuring ID photos remain accurate as young people's appearance changes rapidly.
- Photos taken under age 15 valid for 5 years instead of 10 years
- Aligns with Australian Passport photo validity for children
- Existing authorities issued with older photos remain valid