2012

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ROAD TRANSPORT (THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE) AMENDMENT BILL 2011

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Mr Andrew Barr MLA
Treasurer

Road Transport (Third-Party Insurance) Amendment Bill 2011

New Government Floor Amendment 
Clause 2
Clause 2 of the Road Transport (Third-party insurance) Amendment Bill 2011 will be amended so that the Act will commence on 1 January 2013. 
This will allow time for the necessary administrative arrangements to be made prior to commencement.

New Government Floor Amendment 
Clause 6A and 6B
These clauses amend section 72 of the Act relating to early payment for medical expenses. This will provide flexibility around the 28 day notification period for access to the early payment.
Chapter 4 of the Act already extends the time limit for a compensation claim while a claimant is under a legal disability. Therefore, it is appropriate the notification time limit also be extended in the same circumstances for receiving the early payment for medical expenses. Accordingly this amendment allows extension of the 28 day notification timeframe where the injured person is under a legal disability. 
The intention of this provision aligns with the objectives of the Act by providing an added incentive for injured people to access medical treatment and rehabilitation services as soon as possible to facilitate quicker return to health.
This amendment is made in response to the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into the Bill which expressed the view that section 72 should be amended to provide some discretionary extension to the 28 day timeframe for an injured person to notify their insurer.