The grieving family and friends of two siblings killed in a horrific car crash on Easter Monday have launched a petition with the support of Burnett MP Stephen Bennett to crack down on careless drivers.
It follows a decision handed down at the Maryborough Magistrates Court to fine the driver found responsible for the death of Daniel, 22, and Sarah Walker, 30, $3000.
Bundaberg’s Trisha Mabley, whose son survived the fatal crash, sought Mr Bennett’s assistance on behalf of the Walker family to ensure justice was served by seeking the implementation of harsher penalties for negligent driving causing death or grievous bodily harm.
“We set up the petition to bring attention to some outdated laws in Queensland that we want to change and bring into line with other interstate laws,” Mrs Mabley explained.
“People die on our roads every other day and no one is made liable for it… Guilty people are getting off far too easily when they kill people.
“The man who was responsible for killing two people and seriously injuring four others was fined a measly $3,000 and had his licence disqualified for just three months. How is that Justice?
“Justice wasn’t served whatsoever, and now we are on a mission to ensure the laws are changed to more appropriately reflect the seriousness of those offences.”
Mr Bennett condemned the Palaszczuk Labor Government for ignoring genuine warnings that a legislative gap existed between the Queensland Criminal Code offence of Dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and the Transport Operations (Road Use Management Act 1995 (TORUM) charge of careless driving.
“Recommendations have been handed down by a Coroner to fix a huge legislative gap that exists, given that Queensland, unlike other jurisdictions across Australia, has no charge of negligent driving causing death, but these recommendations have clearly been ignored by the Labor Government,” he said.
“Enough is enough. I think we are all sick to the stomach of the carnage on our roads and it’s time this Labor Government takes a stronger approach on crime.
“The Labor Government has been warned about the unjust legislative gap that exists, but they have sat back and done nothing.”
Mr Bennett said it was a privilege to work with the family to bring about meaningful change to enhance road safety.
“It’s an honour to work with local residents to make sure good, fair and effective policy is implemented to enhance road safety for all, and now I’m calling on people to join me in supporting this family and other families across the state who haven’t received the justice they desperately need to move forward,” he said.
“This family is suffering the devastating loss of their loved ones, and on top of that they are tormented by weak laws that simply don’t go far enough to deliver the justice they deserve.”
Sign the online petition via Queensland Parliament .
Alternatively, a paper petition is available to sign at the Burnett Electorate Office, See Street, Bargara.
ENDS.
Thursday, 28 September 2017