The first two years of the O’Farrell government has led to positive new policies for drivers, however voters will ultimately judge the government on the progress they make on Westconnex and other roads and transport improvements.
This is the key finding from NRMA motoring and services’ inaugural mid-term report card on the performance of the O’Farrell government, released on the government’s second anniversary.
The report rates the government’s performance across a range of policy initiatives on roads, safety and drivers.
NRMA president Wendy Machin says the report is more positive than negative; however, the next two years are critical in regard to how drivers will ultimately judge the government.
“In the lead-up to the 2011 state election the NRMA worked tirelessly to make transport issues a key election theme, outlining the need to build important missing links like the M4 extension and duplication of the M5 east tunnel,” says Machin.
“With the announcement of Westconnex the people of NSW got two big projects in one.
“The NSW Coalition campaigned on an infrastructure platform in the lead-up to the 2011 election – the O’Farrell government’s legacy could be secured in the next two years if real progress is made on building this critical road project.”
In the area of safety the NRMA report card highlights the NSW government’s decision to direct all revenue from speeding fines back into road safety – including the recruitment of more highway patrols – as a big win for the public.
“The government’s decision to listen to the NRMA on the issue of directing all fines back into road safety has a double benefit – it makes our roads safer and it gives the public more confidence that the measures used to crack down on dangerous driving are about safety and not revenue,” says Machin.
Machin says when it came to cracking down on drunk and drug drivers who repeat offend the NRMA would be working closely with the O’Farrell government on new safety measures.
“There is strong public support for tougher penalties that target people who get caught driving over the limit or on drugs and then re-offend, and there is ample evidence to suggest the tougher laws are overdue,” says Machin.
On the issue of helping drivers, the NRMA has awarded the NSW government a green light for its decision to introduce compulsory fuel price boards outside all service stations.
“While the NSW government took the courageous step of confronting the oil companies, the NRMA believes the Australian government should be moving faster to introduce national standards,” says Machin.
“Drivers in NSW are given greater transparency about prices before they pull into a service station and that will ultimately help them save money – and the rest of the country deserves the same.”
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