Opposition road safety spokesman Tim Whetstone stands down over loss of licence, demerit points

Tim Whetstone has quit his Opposition road safety role after losing his licence for speeding – blaming the floods for failing to tell the Liberal Party. Read his statement.

Tim Whetstone in parliament in July 2020. Picture: Matt Loxton

Senior Opposition MP Tim Whetstone has stood down as road safety spokesman after revealing he relinquished his driver’s licence in September for racking up too many speeding fines.

The SA Liberal Party confirmed Mr Whetstone brought the matter to their attention only on Friday – more than three months after it occurred.

Mr Whetstone said he had not told Opposition Leader David Speirs about the matter until now because the Riverland MP was “fully consumed” with the flood crisis.

“It has been a stressful time with everyday commitments and also dealing with preparations to keeping my communities as best prepared as possible,” he told The Advertiser.

“I accumulated demerit points over a three-year period primarily due to me having an over ambitious diary agenda that eventually caught me out. I regret this situation has occurred and have served the penalty.”

The Advertiser understands most of the traffic offences were for low-range speeding and none have been heard in front of a court.

A Liberal Party spokeswoman confirmed none of the offences were for driving under the influence.

The member for Chaffey, Mr Whetstone met with Mr Speirs on Friday and made the decision to stand down.

Mr Whetstone released a brief statement on Friday saying it was “inappropriate” for him to continue in the Opposition road safety role.

“Road safety is critical and it’s important the opposition has a strong voice in this portfolio,” the statement read.

Tim Whetstone has stepped down as Opposition road safety spokesman after losing his licence for speeding. Picture: facebook

“I apologise to those that I have let down including the South Australian public as well as my colleagues.”

Mr Speirs will take over the portfolio until a permanent replacement is made.

Under SA law, a person is at risk of losing their licence if they accrue 12 or more demerit points over a three-year period.

Demerit points can be gained from various road traffic and speeding offences.

A government spokesperson said Mr Whetstone “owes the public an honest and upfront explanation of exactly what has happened”.

“David Speirs selected Tim Whetstone as the member of his party best equipped to represent the Liberals on matters of police and road safety,” they said.

Mr Whetstone will remain on the Opposition front bench.

In 2009, the Labor Government’s then-Road Safety Minister Tom Koutsantonis was forced to resign from the portfolio after it was revealed he had more than 30 road traffic offences and had lost his licence for three months in 1999 for the accumulation of demerit points.

SA Police Minister Joe Szakacs took to Twitter shortly after the announcement to share statistics around drink driving.

“2 in 3 people who die on our regional roads are from the regions. And nearly 25% of all fatalities on our regional roads had an illegal blood alcohol limit,” he tweeted.

The tweet continues to tell the public to “make a better choice this weekend”.

2 in 3 people who die on our regional roads are from the regions. And nearly 25% of all fatalities on our regional roads had an illegal blood alcohol limit (60% higher than metro). Make a better choice this weekend. Get home safe. #thinkroadsafetypic.twitter.com/obahdyfUOK

— Joe Szakacs MP (@joe_szakacs) January 6, 2023

Mr Whetstone was re-elected as Chaffey MP in 2018 for his third term.

The Chaffey electorate covers SA’s Riverland area, including Berri, Renmark, Loxton and Waikerie.