Adjourned debate on second reading.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: The Democrats support the government's attempts to reduce the incidence of drink driving on our roads, and it is pleasing to see an innovative approach adopted in respect of this particular aspect of drink driving, that is, the recidivists who drive without a licence. There can be little doubt that the substantial increase in the penalties for, and enforcement of, drink driving laws during the past 20 years has fundamentally changed community attitudes towards drink driving and has resulted in a reduction in the road toll. As recently as the 1970s, Australia had a culture of acceptance of drinking and driving, and some people would even boast about how they could not remember getting home the night before, and their friends would laugh with them about it. Few people would celebrate that sort of recklessness now: I know that many young people in their social outings nominate a driver who will stay sober for the course of the night to ensure that the rest of the friends get home safely.

We all share the benefits of the widespread recognition of the dangers of drinking and driving. Had the attitude of the 1970s not been countered, we would have had what would now be amounting to a civil war on our roads. Improvements have been made but we can always look to better them. As a car dependent society, and one in which alcohol is a key ingredient in many people's social lives, it is not surprising that we have recidivist drink drivers. The minister has told us that one in five repeat drink drivers are caught driving without a licence. It is this group of law-breakers who stand to benefit from the scheme proposed in this bill, and it is therefore important to place on record why the Democrats are supporting it.

It is all very well to say that these people have been punished by having their licences taken away from them, but the reality is that they are still getting out and driving, albeit without a licence. So we as MPs have an obligation to find a way to deal with the reality and we have to do so in a way that creates the greatest safety for the rest of society. By fitting alcohol interlocks in the cars of offenders, we will be in a better position to monitor these recidivists and, thereby, ensure that they are not continuing to flout the law.

I know that not everyone will think this scheme is a good idea, particularly people who have had a family member killed or maimed as a result of that lethal combination of drinking and driving. I can understand the anger they must feel and the desire they would have to ensure that such drivers never, ever drive again. But, as we know, some of these drivers are flouting the law anyway and we must come up with some other solutions. The proposal in this Bill may not be perfect but I believe it is worth a try, and the provision for a review after two years gives me the confidence to support this Bill.

The Hon. CAROLYN PICKLES secured the adjournment of the debate.