Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport, Senator McCarthy. The ABC published a report today exposing shocking numbers of sexual assault committed by predatory driving instructors against mainly young people, who should be feeling safe learning how to drive. This is an issue that stretches back decades. In fact, my mother has been engaged in this industry for years, providing a safe teaching environment for people learning to drive in WA. I know how important it is for families to be able to trust the instructors. As thousands of children and others get into cars with strangers today, what is the government doing to protect learner drivers? And will you consider making dash cams compulsory in driving school vehicles to deter and detect abuse?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Payman, for the question. I certainly did hear the stories this morning. The young women and girls who told their stories—I'd like to commend their bravery in coming forward to speak about a really difficult issue but a very important one. So, thank you, Senator Payman.

Obviously learning to drive should be an exciting time for young people, where they commence their journey into adulthood and greater independence. And driving instructors, just like teachers and those in a position of responsibility in our society, have to ensure that these environments are safe. Each jurisdiction sets its own rules for instructor accreditation, compliance and disciplinary processes. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour by driving instructors are handled by the state or territory regulator responsible for issuing that accreditation. These regulators have the power to investigate the complaints, suspend or cancel accreditation, or impose conditions on an instructor's licence. But obviously, more critically, in instances of alleged criminality these matters should be reported to the police.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, first supplementary.

Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Given the urgency of this matter—and I understand that it's a state matter, as you've mentioned—will the government act to drive coordinated national reform and place this on the agenda at the next National Cabinet meeting?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We certainly are taking action at the national level to prevent sexual harassment by creating safer, respectful and more-equitable workplaces. We've seen that through the implementation of the recommendations of the 2020 Respect@Work sexual harassment national inquiry report, which included an explicit prohibition on sexual harassment in the workplace through the Fair Work Act 2009 and also supported the Human Rights Commission to receive historical disclosures of sexual harassment, educate and enforce compliance from employers on the new positive duty to take reasonable action to prevent workplace sexual harassment and provide a one-stop shop for information and referral services.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, second supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the United Kingdom, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency licenses driving instructors nationally and tracks misconduct complaints. The ABC report shows an increase in complaints after a public awareness campaign in 2018. Will the Labor government follow the British example and establish a national standards agency to regulate the sector to protect children from trainer danger?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said in my initial answer, it is up to the states and territories, and I am confident that our minister is also having a good look at what's going on here. But, as I said in my previous response, in regard to what we are doing nationally, that is important around the issues with sexual harassment.