Liberal Nationals secure victory for young drivers

Daniel Andrews and the Labor Government have finally listened to calls from the Liberal Nationals and the community to catch up with technology and put Victoria’s learner’s permit test online.

Labor Minister, Ben Carroll folded under community pressure when questioned on ABC Radio on Monday 21 September stating, “the time has come for the learner’s permit to be done online.”

However, has still has not provided a date for when the test will be live online, another example of spin ahead of action.

The Liberal Nationals again call for the learner’s permit test to be put online as a matter of urgency, as well as allowing learner drivers and motorcycle riders to get back out on the road again.

State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said she has been contacted by many concerned parents of frustrated teens who cannot sit their learner’s permit test due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Ms McLeish said, “Getting your learners permit is an important and exciting milestone for young adults. In many cases for rural and regional families, it is a necessity. The lack of public transport options means young adults have to rely on Mum and Dad or friends for a lift.”

“It’s not fair that young adults would be held back from getting their full licence when they turn 18, if unable to sit their learner’s permit test when they turn 16.”

“The minister needs to be transparent and announce the exact date the learner’s permit test will be available online,” Ms McLeish concludes.

This announcement follows repeated calls from the Liberal Nationals on behalf of the thousands of young people who have been unable to sit their tests due to the Andrews Labor Government’s restrictions.

Shadow Minister for Rural Roads, Roma Britnell said, “The announcement from Labor’s Roads Minister is not before time. People in regional Victoria have been asking for this for months.

“With the current lack of availability of appointments at regional VicRoads centres, some of which currently only allow tests one or two days per week, young people are being forced to wait far too long to sit their learner’s permit.

“Now that Labor’s Roads Minister has made this promise, he must deliver on it. Regional Victorians won’t accept more empty promises from this Labor Government that has demonstrated that it does not care about young drivers from regional Victorian.”

Victorians have no confidence in the Andrews Labor Government’s ability to manage the backlog of young people waiting for their licence.