Mr DEAN ( Windermere ) - I rise to support the bill. I want to raise an issue that I have raised previously in this Chamber. This matter comes to me from a constituent, and I have referred to him previously. This same constituent has had close contact with the member for Nelson also. The constituent is a gentleman in his 60s, he suffers a severe disability currently - a back problem - he wants to remain in the work force and is eager to do that. He is involved in a building business and, as a part of that business, he has a single-axle vehicle that he needs to tow a trailer from time to time. He has a number of trailers; he has a dog trailer, plus another low-form trailer that he uses to convey his machinery - a backhoe and some of the other machinery he has.

On many occasions he has suggested - and I understand he has had a lot of discussions with DIER, and DIER may well remember this gentleman - that there is no support provided in relation to reduced registrations or charges for vehicles where the operators of those vehicles now work reduced hours. In his instance he works, I think, normally about two days a week; it might sometimes be three days a week, but then he only works some half days. That is all he can manage because of the severe disability he has.

He has made it very plain and perfectly clear that he could go out and receive a pension, but that is not what he wants to do. He wants to continue to work. He also identifies that there are many people now who fall into that category - people with disabilities, ageing people - who only want to work part-time. What he is saying - and I have some support for him - there ought to be reduced registration/tax charges in relation to vehicles and trailers that are used in those circumstances. In this day and age technology is such that you could do that and you could police it. As he said, it would be the simple signing of a declaration or something to that effect. He is saying, Mr President, that the charges that he is currently paying are really pricing him out of the business that he operates. He said it will only be a short time before he will have to give up everything and simply take the pension that he is entitled to, but does not want to take. He wants to continue working, he wants to make a contribution to society and wants to earn a living.

I wonder whether or not DIER have really looked at this closely, whether or not they will look at it, whether or not there is some opportunity for these people who own heavy vehicles in these circumstances to be catered for. Many other industries now cater for people with disabilities and those who are ageing to remain in the work force, often to work only one or two days a week. It happens throughout life now.

I urge DIER to consider that. I have spoken with DIER about this matter and raised it in this House. It is a real issue, a real concern and I will be writing quite a long letter to them shortly about what I have received from this gentleman. He has asked that I and the member for Nelson move a private member's bill or a motion to force DIER to revisit the issue of registration charges and taxes on vehicles.

Mr President, I think it would make life much easier for a lot of people. We know a lot of people have vehicles that they only use every now and again. As I said, in his case he would be prepared to sign any documentation. There is technology, as I said, which is quite advanced and could be used for the purpose of ensuring that there is no cheating. If it is considered there will be cheating, I think that can be ruled out because of all the things that are now available to ensure that would not happen.

It would help to keep people in employment doing a thing that they love, and earning a living rather than receiving a pension. I do not know whether the Leader is able to comment on whether or not that is being considered, or whether it will be considered, or whether there is an opportunity for it to occur. This gentleman would certainly appreciate some information being provided to him.

With that contribution, I will be supporting the bill. I can understand the reasons for it and we need to look at these charges from time to time. I would ask that that situation I referred to be considered, perhaps with a view to some relief being given to these people who still want to work in heavy industry, who have worked there all their lives and would like some support so they are able to continue. He said the costs currently are prohibitive. I regret the fact that I am unable to produce that document today, but I did refer to it previously, Mr President, in the state of the State address debate.

I did refer to the charges, I referred to all of his charges, his vehicle registrations and taxes, trailer registrations and all of those other things. It was a huge cost by the time he got all of that equipment on the road simply to work about two days a week. As he said, he was almost working for nothing, and that was a shame. I would ask that there be some consideration given. Thank you, Mr President.