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Plan To Crush Hoon Driving With Tough New Laws A Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will introduce tough new anti-hoon laws to reduce the damage to Victorian families caused by reckless driving and anti-social behaviour. By Russell Northe - 5th October 2010 - Back to News The Coalition’s zero tolerance anti-hoon plan will make our roads and suburban streets safer by introducing tough new penalties and crushing hoon cars.
A Coalition Government will introduce tough new anti-hoon laws, including:
- immediate 30-day vehicle impoundment for a first hoon offence, and requirement that a safe driving course is completed by offender;
- up to three months impoundment for a second offence; and
- forfeiture and crushing of vehicles for a third offence after parts are stripped and sold.
Even Victoria Police admit that John Brumby’s current laws are failing to break Victoria’s hoon culture.
With John Brumby’s laws only allowing for a 48-hour confiscation of hoon vehicles, hoons in Victoria can lose their cars on Friday night, only to pick them up on Monday morning.
Victorians need a strong zero tolerance approach to hoon driving.
This means tough laws which increase impoundment times, force hoon drivers to take safe driving training, and forfeit and crush the vehicles of the worst repeat offenders.
We must act now so offenders are deterred from continuing to endanger Victorian families with their criminal stupidity.
Under the Coalition’s tough new anti-hoon plan, police will be able to apply to the courts to have a hoon vehicle crushed for a third offence, sending a clear message to hoon drivers that this conduct will no longer be tolerated.
Vehicles will be stripped of parts and crushed, or destroyed by the Transport Accident Commission as part of its ongoing testing and education programs before being crushed.
The Coalition also wants to give drivers better safety skills and education in road safety. The plan will include a compulsory safe driving course for offenders, requiring them to undertake instruction to learn and understand risks of speed, roads, traffic and dangers to other road users.
Policy
Every year the culture of hooning grows in Victoria and it is clear that John Brumby’s hoon laws are not working to deter hoon drivers. We will make first offence penalties stronger and we will introduce car crushing in order to send a message to hoon drivers that the culture of hoon driving will not be tolerated.
The Coalition will also increase the period for calculating prior offences from 3 years to 6 years to cover the age range of most hoons which is 18 to 24. A third offence committed within a 6 year period will now incur forfeiture.
John Brumby dismissed the idea of strengthening hoon laws when the Coalition proposed crushing hoon vehicles 18 months ago.
Bob Cameron said in July 2008 that crushing cars was ‘short-sighted, populist and completely irresponsible’ while John Brumby said this week that crushing cars should be considered.
The Coalition has taken a responsible approach by monitoring the effect of the laws in Victoria over the last year and looking at the laws adopted by other states and internationally.
Existing provisions allowing third parties to apply to vary or revoke impoundment orders will continue to apply.
In short, these provisions give a wide range of protections for third parties, including;
- impounding and forfeiture not applying for stolen or hired vehicles
provision for exceptional hardship cases; and
- no forfeiture if the registered operator or owner of a vehicle can prove the offence was committed without their knowledge or consent.
- Crushing hoon cars is not a decision that is taken lightly, but sometimes the only thing that a hoon understands is taking away their car.
The Coalition’s plan will provide a real deterrent for hoon behaviour such as burnouts, drag racing and other forms of dangerous or careless driving.
Victorian families need protection from hoon drivers and our plan will prevent and deter hoons with tough penalties.
HOLD HOON CARS LONGER SO MESSAGE SINKS IN
Last week in Parliament, Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe said a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government in Victoria will see first time hoon offenders have their cars seized for 30 days.
"There are a disproportionate number of fatalities on regional roads, and we need to produce a very strong deterrent for those who engage in hoon behaviour," Mr Northe said.
"Current Victorian laws for 48 hour confiscation are not strict enough, so the Coalition Government will introduce immediate 30 day vehicle impoundment for a first time hoon offence, up to three months impoundment for the second offence and forfeiture and crushing of vehicles after stripping them for parts for a third offence."
Mr Northe told Parliament this week the Coalition had made its position "very clear" about imposing the tougher laws.
"Being a parent of 15 and 18 year old boy boys, I understand that some of our youth think they are invincible, and I believe the introduction of tougher laws will provide a deterrent for our younger drivers who might think its safe to participate in this dangerous behaviour.
"We’ve had enough of the disturbances in relation to street racing and other activities that occur out there in the community; activities that are not only socially unacceptable but also downright dangerous," he said.
"Under our anti-hoon laws, vehicles can be stripped of useful parts and crushed, or used for safety testing and education by the Transport Accident Commission.
"In this scenario, a regular hoon will have to kiss their car goodbye.
"We must do all that we can to ensure that we not only protect those who might wish to undertake such activities, but also the road users who, as an unintended consequence are affected by this behaviour.
"Latrobe Valley residents deserve to have quiet streets and safer roads and I believe the position of the Coalition will act as a much greater deterrent for those who want to act illegally on our roads, and potentially put themselves and others at risk."
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support. - Melina Bath condemns Labor government for recycled road funding spin and failure to deliver real investment
Melina Bath has accused the Allan government of recycling old road funding announcements, labelling them propaganda and demanding genuine investment to address the worsening condition of regional Victoria's neglected roads. - Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state. - Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on draft 10-year open space strategy for future planning
Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its draft Open Space Strategy, shaping a 10-year plan to guide investment, protect natural spaces, and enhance community wellbeing. Consultation closes Friday 3 October 2025. - Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government over bill limiting veterans' rights to appeal medal and bravery decisions
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned the Albanese government's proposed Defence Honours Bill, claiming it restricts veterans' rights to appeal medal decisions and undermines the independent Tribunal's role in recognising bravery. - Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for funding maintenance at Sale College instead of new campus
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for allocating $273,175 in maintenance to Sale College, arguing funds should instead deliver the long-promised new consolidated campus the community has campaigned for since 2017. - Season’s greetings to East Gippsland residents with wishes for a joyful Christmas and prosperous New Year
Wishing East Gippsland residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with gratitude to service workers, reminders for festive safety, and hopes for connection, kindness, and a prosperous 2026. - Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans. - Darren Chester slams Albanese government veterans medal review limit, undermining Tribunal independence
Shadow Minister Darren Chester has condemned Labor's legislation imposing a 20-year limit on veterans' medal reviews, arguing it undermines the Tribunal's independence and disenfranchises veterans and families seeking fair recognition. - Parliamentary Inquiry visits South Gippsland to examine oil, gas decommissioning and regional transition opportunities
State Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee visited South Gippsland to examine oil and gas decommissioning, and local government perspectives, highlighting infrastructure needs and renewable transition opportunities.
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