❓ Mr Williams asks about the government's road safety law reform, specifically the Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026, also known as "Kelly's Law", aimed at preventing tragedies caused by disqualified drivers. Minister Whitby outlines the bill's provisions to extend disqualification notices for traffic offences carrying mandatory licence disqualification.

Road safety—Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 202664.Mr Rhys Williamsto theMinister for Road Safety:I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to delivering sensible and effective law reform.Can the minister outline how the government is delivering new laws to prevent tragedy on Western Australia's roads, and can the minister outline any significant recent announcements?

Mr Reece Whitby replied:I thank the member for Mandurah for the question. I understand that a constituent in his part of the world is involved in this issue. This is another way that the Cook government is keeping Western Australians safer. It is important legislation, and I believe it will save lives in the future. It will certainly bring peace of mind to a particular family here in Western Australia. This morning, I gave notice that, tomorrow, the Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026 will be introduced to Parliament. This bill, this law, will be known as "Kelly's Law" in honour of Kelly T'Hart.Kelly was 32 and a much-loved family member and aunty. On 19 May 2024, she went out for an evening stroll in her suburb near Furnissdale. She was hit at speed by a drunk driver. The driver did not stop and left Kelly to die by the roadside. The driver was later arrested and charged and had her licence disqualified, but under the existing laws in our outdated Road Traffic Act, two months later, while Kelly's family was still struggling with their grief, the driver, who was on bail, was allowed back behind the wheel because the disqualification period of two months had expired. The accused lived just around the corner, meaning she regularly drove past the T'Hart home, causing great distress and anxiety for almost two years before her case was heard and determined by a court. She continued to drive until her bail was revoked two weeks ago on 12 February. Unacceptable!The former Minister for Road Safety and I have worked very closely with Kelly's mum, Susan, who is an incredibly brave and determined woman. I am pleased to say that those conversations have resulted in the legislation we are bringing into the house tomorrow that will expand the existing powers of both police and the courts. In particular, powers will be strengthened to extend a disqualification notice until the time a matter is finally determined by a court. Currently, disqualification notices are only available for some alcohol and drug offences, so we are going further with this initiative, and it will apply to all traffic offences that carry a mandatory licence disqualification penalty. They include dangerous driving, reckless driving and hit-and-run offences. It is common sense, members. The time has come to redress this wrong—to do this for the T'Hart family, for Susan, Kelly's mum. I want to particularly thank Susan and her family for their drive and determination in ensuring this happened after what happened to them, and particularly what happened in the wake of their distress and grief, when they saw the driver, the offender, back behind the wheel before she could be dealt with by a court, which was something that brought them even more suffering.I commend the legislation. It is good law. It is going to keep Western Australians safer, and it will forever be known as "Kelly's Law" in honour of young Kelly T'Hart. It was a terrible tragedy but is a positive legacy that will mean a lot to the T'Hart family and I think to all Western Australians.VisitorsThe Speaker:Just before I give you the call, member for Roe—sorry, the member for Mid-West. I would just like to welcome the former the former member for Swan Hills in the Speaker's gallery today. Jess Shaw, welcome.Questions without notice resumed Road safety—Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026