Mr Michael Yabsley Driving Offence

The Hon. I. COHEN: I ask the Attorney General, and Minister for Industrial Relations, representing the Minister for Police, whether drink drivers other than former politician Mr Michael Yabsley have been caught with a blood alcohol reading of 0.18, almost four times the limit, and given a $500, 12-month good behaviour bond without losing their licence? Will the Minister investigate how a defence of not being a regular drinker allowed Mr Yabsley, as reported in today’s Sydney Morning Herald, to not " . . . feel as affected as the high blood-alcohol reading suggested"? Will the Minister investigate this leniency by Magistrate Linden in light of his record of convictions against young offenders?

The Hon. J. W. SHAW: I did see the report of the court decision concerning Mr Yabsley. I will be happy, not only on behalf of the Minister for Police but in relation to my own portfolio, to have that matter examined and seek a report from the police and/or the Director of Public Prosecutions. In saying that, I do not mean to imply anything about the appropriateness or otherwise of the decision. Obviously, magistrates dealing with these matters need to take into account all the facts and circumstances, and they need to make some difficult and sometimes subjective decisions about how a defendant is to be dealt with. Having said that, I am happy to have the matter investigated or have some analysis made of it.

The Hon. M. R. EGAN: If honourable members have further questions, I suggest they place them on notice.

Questions without notice concluded.

[The President left the chair at 1.02 p.m. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m.]