Perry Edwin: Land Transport (Unauthorised Street and Drag Racing) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Perry Edwin: Land Transport (Unauthorised Street and Drag Racing) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:607;Page:4612] 
EDWIN PERRY (NZ First) 
: 
 Shall we get some common sense and some professionalism into the presentation? I want to refer to the bill again. [ 
Interruption 
] I will have some words for Mr Prebble later. The commentary on the bill states: “Growing concerns about street racing activities relate both to the destruction caused by the activity itself and associated crime. These events often involve large numbers of people both participants and spectators who occupy areas of road for the purpose of performing unauthorised high speed races and dangerous stunts such as ‘burnouts’ and ‘doughnuts’. … Local councils and residents report that the damage and disruption caused by street racers is significant including damage to roads signs and street lights as well as excessive noise and health issues particularly distress and lack of sleep. There are obvious safety concerns due to the nature of the activity the large number of spectators and the likelihood of loss of control on the road”. 
We heard tonight from our fellow MP Paul Adams about drivers picking up speed then releasing the clutch at high speed. Once the vehicle has travelled over the substance that has been poured on the road the driver can lose control of the vehicle which then makes its way over to the spectators on the side of the road. Also the vehicles with unmodified brakes and suspension are not up to road safety specifications and that causes problems as well. Vandalism graffiti drunkenness and litter are also problems. The current laws are not adequate as the Law and Order Committee has recognised. The commentary on the bill states: “The Police report that their existing powers do not appear to have been adequate in dealing with the problem of unauthorised street racing and associated activities.” As the commentary on the bill also notes research indicates that the so-called boy racers come from middle-class or affluent families and can afford to own expensive high-performance vehicles. As was mentioned this afternoon vehicles worth up to $80000 are currently being used in that activity. 
The commentary further states: “As a result a number of members of Parliament namely Ron Mark MP (NZ First) Hon Ken Shirley MP (ACT)”—that party is now voting against the bill—“and the current chair of the committee Martin Gallagher MP have liaised with authorities in various Australian states to obtain a better understanding of the comparative problems experienced in Australian jurisdictions and the success of legislative measures taken in those jurisdictions.” I say to Mr Prebble that I am mystified as to why a member of his party went on that trip to Australia and why ACT is now voting against the bill. 
Opposition Member 
: Probably to learn from it. 
EDWIN PERRY 
: The member may have but the  
Hansard 
 that was read out today by my fellow MP Mr Ron Mark states something different. The commentary states that the original initiative to address the problem of unauthorised street and drag racing in a bill came from Clayton Cosgrove and I congratulate Mr Cosgrove on bringing the bill to the House. I finish by saying that New Zealand First supports this bill. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: No one’s complaining. You speak for your whole time. 
EDWIN PERRY 
: I say to Mr Prebble that during the election campaign ACT presented its “zero tolerance” law and order policy outside Mount Eden Prison. Now ACT is going against it so I am sure that ACT supporters will be mystified at its stance on this particular bill. I am mystified by the Greens’ stance but we cannot expect anything else from them. What can we expect from someone who has problems wheel-spinning his skateboard and plies himself with a substance so he can be effective?