Member for Lane Cove, Anthony Roberts said NSW Labor’s failure to stand up for Drivers would mean thousands of motorists would unfairly lose their drivers licenses.

The Rees Government flagged changes to the demerit points system, including a decrease in the demerit point penalty for low-range speeding offences, in November last year. However, when the Roads Minister finally announced the changes in February, he revealed they would not be implemented until September this year.

In Parliament today, the NSW Coalition moved a motion calling on the Minister for Roads to ensure that motorists fined for low-range speeding offences from the date of the Minister’s announcement would not be unfairly punished under the old demerit points system.

However, Labor voted against the motion, ensuring that thousands of motorists on roads such as Victoria Road will be unfairly penalised under the old demerit points system.

With an average of 629 people losing their license each day[1], it is likely that over 180,000 people will now lose their licenses in the period it takes Labor to introduce the new demerit point system.

Mr Roberts said Labor’s decision to vote against the motion showed they were out of touch with the concerns of the community.

“Good drivers in NSW shouldn’t be punished for Nathan Rees’ inability to get this minor change made quickly,” Mr Roberts said.

“Many people in our community need to drive to work or to pick up their kids, and can’t risk losing their license for minor offences.

“If NSW Labor understood this, they would have voted in support of these changes being made immediately rather than six months down the track.

“The Roads Minister himself has admitted the system is unfair. Thousands of responsible drivers in our community are now at risk of losing their licenses under Labor’s draconian demerit points system.

“It is disingenuous of NSW Labor to announce changes to the demerit point system, and then delay their introduction for 6 months.

“The State Government should do the right thing and ensure that drivers are not punished under the old demerit points system,” Mr Roberts said.