Two months after NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay criticised Keira MP Ryan Park for seeking a review of the demerit points system, a government committee is looking into the issue.
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In September, Mr Park, who is opposition roads spokesman, said a review was needed because of the increase in the numbers of speed and red-light cameras.
"In the last two years alone, the NSW government has overseen a sevenfold increase in the mobile speed camera program across the state," Mr Park said at the time.
"It has been close to three years since any changes were made to the demerit points that motorists can accumulate before suspensions take place.
"While such a review may well conclude that no changes are required at this stage, I think it's vital that this issue is fully examined."
In response to questions put to him in September by the Mercury about a possible review, Mr Gay called Mr Park "an apologist for people who break the law".
"There are no innocent people running red lights or speeding through intersections, there are only the innocent casualties or dead," Mr Gay said.
Now, two months later, the NSW government's Staysafe committee is holding an inquiry into speed zones and the demerit system.
According to the NSW Parliament website, the inquiry was set up "to review and report on the process of determining speed limits on NSW roads and the imposition of demerit point penalties for speeding offences".
The committee is calling for submissions, which close on February 28 next year.
Asked yesterday about Mr Gay's earlier statement, a spokesman for the minister said, "the minister's comments related to running red lights, not a demerit points scheme review".
The spokesman did not offer any comment on whether the government review proved that Mr Park's earlier call had merit, whether Mr Gay supported such a review or even if he would be making a submission to it.
Mr Park, however, was "delighted" that the committee had backed his call to review the demerit points scheme.
"I am very pleased that the Staysafe committee agrees that it is time to review the demerit points scheme", he said.