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Bus and taxi drivers
who lost their passenger licences – and in some cases their jobs – because of
past criminal convictions will be offered a reprieve under a proposed law
change. The change has been met
with cautious optimism by Dunedin bus driver Lloyd Walsh, whose case first
highlighted the anomaly in the law. The Land Transport Act,
which took effect last month, prevented those convicted of murder, sexual
offences punishable by seven or more years in jail and specific violent
offences from holding a passenger service vehicle (P endorsement) licence. Murderers and sexual
offenders could not appeal to have their licence reinstated. Two hundred and nine
drivers were affected by the law change, including an estimated 20 who had
been convicted of sex offences such as having underage sex. Mr Walsh was 16 years
old when, 34 years ago, he had sex with his girlfriend two days before her
16th birthday. The solo father said
last night it was "not before time" for the "unfair" law
to be changed. He had been lobbying the Government and Land Transport New
Zealand since losing his job. Mr Walsh had been
surviving on a hand-to-mouth basis since the law change and was not due to
receive his first benefit payment till the end of this month. "I'm just worried
how long it's going to take to get back to work. I can't last forever like
this." Transport Safety
Minister Harry Duynhoven has proposed an amendment that would allow drivers
to apply to the director of land transport, who could approve reinstatement
if it was not contrary to the public interest. The change was intended
to apply to those whose offences were at "the minor end of the
scale". "We want to make
sure the act allows people, where appropriate, to continue their employment
as passenger service drivers without compromising public safety and
security," Mr Duynhoven said. He expected 50 to 100
drivers would apply for reinstatement. The law change, tabled
yesterday, would also allow new applications from those not currently
eligible to apply for a P endorsement. The director would be
able to take into account the time since a conviction and any prior or
subsequent convictions. |
