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Some people have
told the Statehood Steering Committee they do not want Statehood
if it impacts on their existing way of life in the Northern Territory.
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Becoming a State will have no impact on the existing ability
of the Territory Government to make laws about speed limits, demerit
points on licences or fireworks.
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Speed Limits The Australian Road rules commenced on 1 December
1999. The Australian Road Rules are model rules formulated by the
Australian Transport Council.
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The Australian Road Rules had no legal effect until each
State or Territory made laws to apply them.
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The aim of the Australian road rules is to provide certainty
for drivers no matter where they are driving. Road signs have been
standardised but not all States and Territories use all the signs.
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For example; the derestricted speed sign of a black circle
with a diagonal stripe is a valid sign all over Australia but irrelevant
where derestricted speed zones do not exist. All States can have
them if they want to.
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During 2004 a group called the Pedestrian Council of Australia
called on Canberra to use its existing powers to impose speed limits
on Territory roads.
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So far the federal government has resisted this call.
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Firecrackers The sale and display of fireworks is regulated
in the Northern Territory.
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Fireworks can only be purchased in certain circumstances,
during a limited timeframe and let off on a prescribed date.
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For specific information on the rules regarding the purchase
of fireworks, NT Worksafe publishes material which can be easily
viewed at - www.nt.gov.au/deet/worksafe/corporate/fireworks
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The regulation of fireworks is a matter for the State or
Territory to decide; Statehood will not threaten our ability to
have firecrackers – it is a decision of the government as
to whether fireworks are legal or not.
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Statehood will not threaten the unique things in the Northern
Territory that make us different from the existing states. Statehood
offers an opportunity for us to promote our identity and difference
on equal terms.
