Driving access and equity program—Regions
122. Mr Kevin Michel to the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to ensuring that all Western Australians have access to services they need, no matter where they live.
(1) Can the minister advise the house how the driving access and equity program is helping Western Australians in regional and remote parts of the state to access services and employment?
(2) Can the minister update the house on how many Western Australians this program has supported?
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski replied:
(1)–(2) I thank the member for his question and his continued advocacy, not just in the Pilbara but for all remote and regional communities across Western Australia. I am delighted to advise the house that the Cook Labor government is delivering real and meaningful change to disadvantaged learner drivers through our driving access and equity program. This program was launched in 2022 and, since then, our government has committed $26 million to help disadvantaged learner drivers in remote and regional WA obtain their driver's licence.
We on this side of the house know that a driver's licence is more than just a card with someone's photo and details on it. It is more than just credentials; it is an economic participation tool. It is a key enabler to allow people to access jobs. We know that some people face significant geographical, social and financial barriers to obtaining a driver's licence, such as no access to a suitable vehicle or no driving supervisor or licensed assessor. The cost of lessons can be a barrier. In some parts of WA, there are simply no driver and vehicle licensing centres nearby.
The Cook Labor government is partnering with 29 organisations and we are delivering in 111 locations across Western Australia to support people to overcome these barriers to become safe, licensed and, importantly, employable drivers. Over 4,450 participants are working towards getting their driver's licence, 64% of whom identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The program has funded the purchase of 61 five-star-rated Australasian New Car Assessment Program vehicles. We have trained 95 driving supervisors as well as 74 driving instructors, who are now fully licensed. Five more training courses will be delivered by 30 June 2026.
The grants have funded organisations to deliver an amazing 45,000 hours of supervised and professional driving. We have supported over 1,000 participants to not only get their driver's licence but also assist with "out of car" challenges, from ID documents to road safety education. I am proud to advise the house that 1,637 driver's licences have now been issued through this program and 748 of those people have identified that they have gained employment since getting a driver's licence.
Although we all love data and making decisions and policy around data, anecdotal evidence is just as important. I will be very quick, Mr Speaker, but I just wanted to give members a few anecdotes. Mariah from Kalgoorlie said:
I passed my PDA on the second attempt. Hayley, my instructor, never gave up on me. Now I can get to my hairdressing training.
Aliah from Fitzroy Crossing, member for Kimberley, said:
With help from Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, I got my P plates. I now drive to work and between jobs.
In just six months, Aliah gained full-time employment and now holds a white card, a qualification in skid steer, excavator and loader, and a provisional manual driver's licence. Not only do the statistics speak for themselves, but also the anecdotes speak for themselves. This is an amazing program, and we are delivering for regional and remote Western Australia.
The Speaker: The Leader of the National Party with the last question.
