Transport ministers under pressure for national response to learner driver sexual assault
Ministers will discuss the problem after an ABC investigation exposed decades of sexual assault and harassment of students. (ABC News: Emma Machan)
In short:
An ABC investigation exposed serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment of minors by some driving instructors.
Driving instructors want consistent rules around CCTV in cars across the country.
What's next?
Ministers are meeting today to discuss how to address the issue.
Driving instructors say they need national consistency on CCTV in their vehicles as transport ministers meet to discuss how to keep learner drivers safe from sexual harassment and assault.
The federal opposition, the Greens, and members of the crossbench want the Commonwealth to do more to lead a nationally coordinated response to the issue following an ABC investigation that heard from more than 300 former learners alleging they had been subjected to sexual misconduct.
Most were still minors when they say the incidents occurred, which ranged from creepy comments to molestation and attempted rape.
"The instructor ran his hand up my leg and told me he could make sure I passed if I let him," one told the ABC.
"I was 16, he was approx [sic] late 40's/early 50's … he would ask me questions like was I virgin," said another in a written response.
Many said they were unable to report the incidents to police due to a lack of evidence.
A number of victims told the ABC they would like to see dash cams filming inside training vehicles as is the case with taxis in most areas.
The national organisation representing instructors has backed that call.
Commonwealth, state and territory transport ministers will discuss the issue as part of their final regular meeting of the year, with e-scooter safety also on the agenda.
Consistent rules needed, instructor says
General manager of the Australian Driver Trainers Association, Charles Wurf, said CCTV would be beneficial to instructors and the rules should be the same around the country.
"Consistency would be terrific," he said.
"We would welcome that, we don't think there should be opposition to it."
The Australian Driver Trainer Association of Victoria is currently running a survey of members to gauge their feelings on CCTV in vehicles.
It includes questions on whether having a camera in the car would affect how they conduct lessons and if they would be prepared to securely store recordings.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie met with leaders from the organisation's Victorian branch ahead of the survey and said she wanted instructor cars to be fitted with CCTV to protect vulnerable young people.
"I'm hopeful that driving instructors will agree to have those types of recordings like taxi drivers, like buses and other forms of transportation do, to give really comfort to parents and students," she said.
No Australian jurisdiction currently requires driving instructors to have dash cams, despite most requiring them for taxis, with just South Australia set to introduce them in 2027.
Senator McKenzie said she asked the association whether the federal Minister for Transport Catherine King had been in contact following reports on assault of young learners.
"They'd never heard from Minister King," Senator McKenzie said, "which I think is incredible, particularly given the scale of the accusations and the problem."
"You'd think you'd be on the phone straight away."
Loading...A spokesperson for Ms King said her office has and will continue to engage with advocates in the driving instructor space.
In October, Senator McKenzie told the federal government to "get off your arse" and be more proactive in coordinating a national response to the issue during a heated Senate Estimates hearing.
It is an issue uniting the Nationals,Liberals, a number of independents and the Greens.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said she was disappointed in Ms King's reply to her letter asking about the issue.
"I was really disheartened when the response came back that that's not really our problem," Senator Waters said, responding to the federal government's stance that ultimately the issue is the responsibility of states and territories that control regulation in the area.
"There's all sorts of things that could happen here. We can have mandatory dash cams, we can have a national complaints register."
She said there were other instances where the federal government had coordinated states and territories on things that the Commonwealth did not directly control.
"There is a real need for them to do that here," Senator Waters said.
"I'm sure they've got lots of things to be talking about at a meeting of the transport and infrastructure ministers, but the safety of young women learning to drive should be at the top of their list."
Minister accuses senator of 'grandstanding'
Catherine King wrote to her state and territory counterparts two days after ABC 7:30's investigation, with the letter released to the ABC following a freedom of information request.
"I know you would be as concerned as I am at hearing these stories," she said.
"I would appreciate your advice on any further measures you may be able to put in place, in light of these recent reports."
Catherine King's letter to her state and territory counterparts in September. (Supplied)
All jurisdictions have now responded to the letter, with Ms King's office criticising the opposition and the Greens for their remarks.
"The minister wrote this letter 2 days after the initial reporting, whereas Senator McKenzie waited for 5 weeks to grandstand at Estimates," the statement said.
"The minister wrote to Senator Waters on this matter in September, outlining steps she was taking to engage with state and territory ministers on this issue.
"The Senator has not followed up once on this issue with the minister or her office."
The meeting of transport ministers is expected to finish by mid-afternoon.