Additional Funds Boost Driver Licensing in Kimberley, Pilbara

• Success of Driving Access and Equity Program sees funding awarded to nine organisations for second year
• More than 1,000 people participated in program in first year across the State
• 243 people have successfully obtained their drivers licence in Kimberley and Pilbara
• More than $11 million invested through the program to support disadvantaged learner drivers in regional and remote WA

The positive impact of the State Government's Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) has resulted in nine community organisations in the Kimberley and Pilbara, receiving funding to run the program for a second year.

The nine organisations were among a group of 12 in the Kimberley and Pilbara that received funding in the first round of the program, and will share in an additional $2.9 million to run the program for a second year. Three organisations are still expending their initial funding.

The additional funding will allow these organisations to purchase more vehicles, and continue to employ mentors, driving instructors and supervisors, to help disadvantaged people obtain their driver's licence and improve their employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, a first-year grant of $300,000 has been awarded to a new recipient organisation, Kimberley Group Training, to support its Deadly Driver Program.

The second-year funding follows an independent and internal evaluation of the first 12 months of DAEP, which found the program is strongly contributing to its objectives of helping disadvantaged people become safe and employable drivers.

The evaluation showed the effectiveness of the program model, and noted an overwhelmingly positive response to the initiative from participants, providers and stakeholders.

Program benefits highlighted included improvements in participant confidence, access to employment and diversion from the justice system.

In the first year of the program, the 12 Kimberley and Pilbara organisations worked with 1,320 program participants, assisting 243 people to obtain their driver's licence. 71 people reported securing employment or a promotion after participating in a DAEP grant-funded project.

The organisations also sourced 22 vehicles, provided more than 4,000 hours of supervised and professional driving instruction, and nominated 37 people to undertake DAEP-funded driving instructor training.

More than half of the participants that have taken part in the program in the Kimberley and Pilbara, had never held a driver's licence, and two thirds identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The State Government has invested more than $11 million in DAEP initiatives including grants, regional driver instructor training and the development of simplified and culturally appropriate learner driver publications. In February this year, the program was expanded to the Mid-West, Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

For more information on the DAEP, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/accessequityprogram.

As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The Driving Access and Equity Program is having a remarkable impact on the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

"Program grants to community organisations have made it possible for more than 240 Kimberley and Pilbara residents to obtain their driver's licence. In the process, this has created opportunities for 71 program participants to secure employment or a promotion at work.

"We know it takes significantly longer for disadvantaged regional and remote people to obtain their driver's licence, as they often face significant access, economic, cultural, literacy and geographic barriers.

"By providing second-year grant funding to nine Kimberley and Pilbara organisations, we expect around 440 more people to gain their driver's licence, as well as growing their independence, confidence and employment opportunities."

As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:

"It's fantastic to hear all the positive stories and impact this program is having on people's lives here in the Kimberley.

"Our Government understands the barriers some people face in accessing a driver's licence, which is why we are investing and working closely with community organisations to run this program for a second year."

As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"As the engine room of the nation's economy, there are incredible employment opportunities in the Pilbara region, but access to a driver's licence is often required.

"The fact this program is helping disadvantaged people overcome barriers to access employment is incredible, and I am thrilled this investment by our Government will see it continue for another year."