- State
Budget includes more than $15 million in additional funding for the Driving
Access and Equity Program
- Program
is helping disadvantaged community members access a driver's licence
- Funding
will see the program expanded into the Great Southern and South West
- Government
announces pilot program partnership with McGovern Foundation in metro area
- A
total of $27.6 million now invested into the program since it launched in 2022
The
Cook Labor Government will partner with the McGovern Foundation to run a metro
pilot of the successful Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP).
DAEP
was established in 2022 in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions to help disadvantaged
community members overcome barriers and access a driver's licence, with the
initiative since expanding into a number of other regions.
Last
week's State Budget included a $15.7 million injection for the program, which
will allow the Government to continue DAEP in existing regions, expand into the
Great Southern and South West for the first time, and run the metro pilot
alongside the McGovern Foundation for the next two years.
Since
DAEP commenced, 22 community-based organisations across the Kimberley, Pilbara,
Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields-Esperance regions have received grants
through the program.
These
grants are helping support local community members with licensing requirements,
including access to a safe vehicle, professional driving instruction and
supervision, road rules education, and assistance with identity documents.
A
total of 3,500 regional residents have received support through the program,
while 626 disadvantaged community members have so far obtained a driver's
licence.
Of
those 626 people that have obtained a licence, 129 have gone on to secure
employment, highlighting the importance of the program.
The
McGovern Foundation was founded by Andrew and Jeremy McGovern in 2021, with the
aim of addressing widespread inequity and barriers for disadvantaged people to
obtain and maintain their driver's licence. The Foundation is not-for-profit
and supported by a board with membership including Jeremy's Eagles teammate Tom
Barrass.
The
expansion into the metro area represents a new chapter for DAEP with offerings
for service delivery that have historically focused and tailored towards regional
and remote locations.
Overall
State Government funding for the Driving Access and Equity Program now totals around
$27.6 million, which is supporting a range of initiatives to help disadvantaged
Western Australian learner drivers through the licensing process.
For
more information on the Driving Access and Equity Program, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/accessequityprogram
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We
know access to a driver's licence is fundamental to so many employment and
training opportunities, but it's not a simple process for everyone.
"The
reality is that while many of us have access to a safe vehicle and a family
member or friend that can help with our driver training and education, there
are a lot of people that don't have that luxury.
"The Driving
Access and Equity Program is changing the equation and transforming the lives
of thousands of Western Australians by helping them access a driver's licence
for the first time.
"We
know how life-changing a licence can be - it's a pathway to employment, it increases
access to health care and essential services and can be transformative for an
entire community.
"We're
proud to be investing in this critical program and the additional allocation in
the State Budget will allow us to expand into new areas including metropolitan
Perth, the South West and Great Southern.
"We're
also very pleased to be partnering with the McGovern Foundation on a pilot
program as we launch in Perth.
"The
McGovern Foundation have a strong track record in this space and are already
delivering great outcomes in the Goldfields for the Government through the Driving
Access and Equity Program."
Comments
attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The
expansion of the Cook Government's landmark Driving Access and Equity Program
is a fantastic outcome for regional communities across the State.
"The
program is already achieving great outcomes in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West,
Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions - with 626 regional people supported
to access a driver's licence through the program.
"The
additional $15.7 million funding in the 2024-25 State Budget will ensure these
life-changing services will continue to be delivered in existing regions, while
expanding into the Great Southern for the first time and more broadly
across the South West."
Comments attributed to
McGovern Foundation Founder Andrew McGovern:
"The
McGovern Foundation is delighted to continue our Partnership with the Driving
Access and Equity Program.
"The
need to support and help disadvantaged community members is just as prevalent
in the metropolitan area as it is in the country regions.
"We
see on a daily basis the positive impact in our community - this funding
provides life-changing opportunities, independence, and support within the
family environment.
"Having
a driver's licence allows people in our community to access employment and
training, health services and playing sport."
Program results
to date:
