New South Wales Maritime Funding

Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN: My question is directed to the Minister for Ports and Waterways. Given the Minister's announcement of increased New South Wales Maritime patrols to enforce long-overdue changes to maritime safety, can he now explain why this year New South Wales Maritime funding has been cut by 4 per cent?

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind a number of members that they are on calls to order.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: The job of improving safety is never complete; it is an ongoing task. That is why the Iemma Government has continually improved safety requirements on the harbour and across the State. In 2005 we toughened the test to get a boating licence. In 2006 we made it compulsory to complete a boating safety course prior to obtaining a licence. In 2007 the Government introduced a speed limit of 15 knots in the vicinity of the Harbour Bridge and prohibited drifting in the vicinity of the bridge. Today I announced major reforms to marine safety laws. New and increased penalties, including jail terms and fines, will apply for navigating dangerously, overloading a vessel, endangering public safety and driving—

Ms Gladys Berejiklian: Point of order: My point of order is relevance.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Bathurst to order for the second time.

Ms Gladys Berejiklian: I specifically asked the Minister why he cut funding for maritime services by 4 per cent. He is failing to address that issue.

The SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order. The Minister may continue.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: New South Wales Maritime and Water Police officers will be given new powers to direct skippers and enforce boating safety laws. They will have a mandate to suspend registration immediately when vessels are operated outside the law, including operating at night with insufficient lighting. Boat licence requirements will be strengthened by requiring practical boating experience before a licence is issued. New South Wales Maritime night-time patrols will increase, with blitzes on vessel lights. Night patrols on Sydney Harbour will increase by 100 per cent from 15 per cent to 30 per cent of nights covering the pre-dawn and post-dark periods, and the three hours either side of midnight. This will be in addition to regular patrols and incident responses conducted by the New South Wales Water Police.

This is the biggest overhaul of marine safety practices in more than a decade. These new measures will introduce and strengthen the safety culture of New South Wales waterways. This reform package is not just about punishment; it is also about prevention. Our education program will continue to build awareness of the safety precautions everyone should take while enjoying our waterways. New South Wales Maritime will renew its focus on boating education, targeting lifejackets, skipper responsibility, offshore sailing training, boating near electrical crossings, and behaviour in dangerous conditions such as crossing bars. Together with these reforms, today I released New South Wales Maritime's formal response to the Office of Transport Safety Investigations' reports on collisions between the Pam Burridge and the Merinda and the collision involving the Dawn Fraser and a dinghy in Walsh Bay.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Upper Hunter will cease interjecting.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: These incidents were not the catalyst for today's announcements, but they influenced the changes that have been announced.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Terrigal to order.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: The response to the Office of Transport Safety Investigations' reports outline measures taken as a direct response to these incidents and ongoing work to prevent similar incidents. The vast majority of boaters act safely and within the law. In 2006-07 more than 41,000 vessels totalling 19 per cent—almost one in five—of all registered vessels were pulled over by a New South Wales Maritime boating service officer for random safety checks. Compliance rates from these spot checks over the past year were at 91 per cent, which indicates boaters generally are more responsible.

Ms Gladys Berejiklian: I tried to be extremely patient and I listened intently for the Minister to get to the answer. The question is: Why has the Minister cut funding for maritime services, given what he is saying, by 4 per cent in yesterday's budget? Answer that question.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat.

Ms Gladys Berejiklian: I note when I took a point of order previously that no ruling was given. I now ask you to direct the Minister to answer.

The SPEAKER: Order! I did give a ruling: I indicated that it was not a point of order because the Minister's answer was relevant to the question asked. However, I draw the Minister's attention to the time he has taken in his answer.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: It is very relevant because this indicates that New South Wales Maritime has more than enough resources to address the safety issues on New South Wales waterways. Our overall safety record is strong. In the past 15 years boat registrations in New South Wales have nearly doubled and licence numbers have increased by 50 per cent, while fatal incidents have fallen proportionately. We will never rest when it comes to safety. We will always work on improving safety initiatives and the safety message.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Upper Hunter to order for the third time.

Mr JOSEPH TRIPODI: Today's reforms show that the Iemma Government continues to deliver on its promises to ensure safety on our waterways.