Question Without Notice No. 790 asked in the Legislative Council on 7 November 2017 by Hon Aaron Stonehouse
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMMISSION — TOURISM OPERATORS —ELECTRIC PERSONAL TRANSPORTERS
790. Hon AARON STONEHOUSE to the minister representing the Minister for Road Safety:
I note the McGowan government's public commitment to the reduction of red tape across the tourism industry. I also note recent media reports that suggest the government is waiting for feedback from the National Transport Commission before loosening its legislation on segways that are currently only legal in Western Australia if used as part of a supervised tour.
(1) What practical steps is the minister taking to ensure that her portfolio contributes to the reduction of red tape for tourism operators?
(2) Given that unsupervised segway use is already legal across a number of jurisdictions, including the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, is the minister really suggesting that we need a national approach to a vehicle that can travel a distance of fewer than 40 kilometres and achieve top speeds lower than those of the electric bicycles we already allow on both our roads and our pavements?
(3) Is this the best example of handballing the minister has encountered, or does she have better ones up her sleeve—perhaps a national approach to rollerskate safety?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Part 15, division 2 of the Road Traffic Code 2000, ''Electric personal transporters'', prescribes the provisions in which EPTs such as segways can be used by tourism operators. The Minister for Road Safety ensures agencies within her portfolio respond in a timely manner in support of safe and sustainable tourism. The minister recently declared a new EPT use area in the City of Albany to enable the development of segway tours and to support tourism in WA. Once completed applications are received by the minister, minimal time is taken for approval.
(2) National research through the National Transport Commission (NTC) is examining the extent to which existing regulations across jurisdictions may impact upon road safety and innovation. WA and other states will use the findings to consider the impact any proposed changes to their respective road traffic laws may have on the community, including tour operators and private use.
(3) No.