03 November 2004
Dr. Henry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him and his officials for doing something for the environment by publishing his speech on both sides of the paper.
Women also have to get their cars tested but male members of the family frequently become involved. I might as well be looking into a bush as into the engine of a car. I totally support the car testing initiative, not just as a driver and a passenger but also as a doctor. It has been very important in reducing fatalities in accidents.
Many Senators have raised the issue of one’s having to go for a retest for very minor matters. It is not just a question of the money involved. I was interested to hear the Minister of State say that 50% of the retests are not charged for. Time is a considerable issue, especially if one has to get a male member of the family to take the car for its retest. As everyone knows, a man’s time is far more valuable than a woman’s.
Dr. Mansergh: Not at all.
Dr. Henry: That goes without saying. Considerable fines should be imposed if very minor faults are not fixed at the time of retesting. Will the Minster of State take this on board? It is a question of the time involved in retesting and not the small matter of what one has to get fixed.
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