Senator Hinds calls for transparency in Licensing Authority garage selection

There should be no political interference in the Licensing Authority’s selection of private individuals and garages to examine motor vehicles to determine roadworthiness.

Independent Senator Dr Kristina Hinds made the call in her contribution to debate on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2023, on Wednesday, as she urged those responsible for overseeing the process to do so in a way that allows “well-known entities as well as some that may be less well known” to benefit.

“So that there are no accusations of the regular suspects and the same sorts of individuals and companies continuing to be authorised to do certain types of work that can be lucrative – because people need to get their vehicles inspected and these entities are not going to be doing it for free,” she said.

According to Section 3 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, the Licensing Authority “may authorise such number of public officers and privately owned garages as it thinks necessary to be vehicle examiners for the purpose of inspecting and examining motor vehicles in order to determine the roadworthiness of the vehicle and to issue certificates in accordance with this Act”.

Senator Hinds cautioned those tasked with the responsibility of implementing the changes to make sure that everything is done above board.

“We don’t want any accusations of political connections or, otherwise, family ties, being responsible for certain garages or certain private individuals being authorised to do inspections,” she said.

The independent senator said there would need to be “a level of transparency when it comes to things such as the criteria, why some will be selected, and why others will not be selected, to ensure that people have confidence in this system”.

“I believe we have sufficient mechanics and garages across this island who can do this effectively,” Dr Hinds said, stressing that “those who are permitted to do so are not given out of certain favours, favouritism and all of the other things that we know can occur in this society”.
(AH)