General Debate

Road Safety

House of Representatives · Monday 10 February 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The House debated a motion noting that 1,300 people died on Australian roads in 2024, the highest toll since 2012. Opposition members argued that the government had cut infrastructure funding and failed to release critical safety data, while Labor members defended increased investment in road safety programs and called for better data collection. Speakers from both sides acknowledged the severity of the crisis and the need for bipartisan action to reduce fatalities.

Outcome

The motion was debated but the transcript does not state the final voting result.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Tony Pasin (Barker) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Pasin moved the motion, noting that the 2024 road toll was the highest since 2012 and that the fatality rate had risen significantly above the national target. Pasin argued that the government had cancelled or delayed billions in infrastructure projects, diverting funds to political priorities rather than evidence-based safety measures. Pasin criticised the South Australian government for withholding Australian Road Assessment Program data and called for transparency in road safety investments.

Luke Gosling (Solomon) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Gosling acknowledged the devastating impact of road deaths, particularly in the Northern Territory where fatalities nearly doubled in 2024. Gosling highlighted the government's implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy and the doubling of Roads to Recovery funding to $1 billion annually. Gosling urged road users to drive safely and emphasised that reducing the toll requires cooperation across all levels of government.
Dan Tehan (Wannon) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Tehan seconded the motion, calling for the immediate release of Australian Road Assessment Program data to identify dangerous roads. Tehan argued that the federal and Victorian state governments had cut road maintenance funding and diverted resources to other projects like the Suburban Rail Loop. Tehan urged leaders to prioritise existing infrastructure repairs to address the declining state of regional roads.
Jodie Belyea (Dunkley) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Belyea discussed the dangers of speeding and poor road conditions, such as potholes, in her electorate. Belyea detailed specific federal funding increases for local councils and the Black Spot Program, arguing that the government was actively addressing road safety. Belyea called for stricter penalties for speeding and the installation of speed humps in high-risk areas.
Keith Wolahan (Menzies) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Wolahan highlighted the disproportionate impact of road deaths on rural and regional areas and criticised the government for prioritising politics over lives. Wolahan cited a specific case in Menzies where a promised roundabout was not funded due to administrative issues, arguing that the government failed to honour commitments. Wolahan called for greater investment in technology, training, and infrastructure to reduce fatalities.
Mike Freelander (Macarthur) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Freelander reflected on the severe injuries caused by road accidents and the burden on health services and families. Freelander noted that despite improvements in vehicle technology and medical care, the road toll was increasing, suggesting a need for better data collection to understand the causes. Freelander supported increased funding for road safety programs and called for improved data sharing between states and territories.

Opened by

Tony Pasin (Barker) (Liberal Party)

Liberal

Speeches

6 speeches, 5 other contributors

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About House of Representatives debates

The House of Representatives debates bills, motions and matters of public importance in its main chamber. Members from all parties can take part, and the responsible minister usually replies for the government. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; always check the official record before quoting.