Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Minister for Rural Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question and for some advance notice of it. Indeed the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport is very well aware of this program as am I, and indeed the senator is correct in identifying that the current funding does cease on 30 June this year. However, we are currently considering the future of that funding in the context of the budget process.

I would note that when the coalition came to government in 2013, we extended the funding to Keys 2 Drive at that point, recognising the importance of that program. I think all of us in this place on both sides of the chamber would recognise how important it is that we do as much as we can across the country, not just as parliamentarians but as parents and as family members, to ensure that our young people are as safe as possible in their vehicles. We will be looking at this in the context of the budget.

I do acknowledge the senator's very real interest in this and reflect also that the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has been well and truly on the record indicating his very real concern around road safety issues. Indeed, he had been doing that for some time prior to taking up his ministerial responsibilities.