CALLS to stop hoon events have progressed following the announcement of a Hooning Community Reference Group by the Victorian Government on Thursday.

Western Victoria MP and Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party (DHJP) state leader, Stuart Grimley MP, introduced a Private Members Bill - the Road Safety Amendment (Hoon Events) Bill 2021 into parliament in December 2021.

Mr Grimley, a former Victorian police officer, has been working since with the Roads and Road Safety minister, Ben Carroll, on solutions to reduce hooning.  

The bill sought to penalise attendance at illegal hoon events across the state.

A number of councils in Victoria are using anti-hoon event laws to curb the dangerous activity, however, the bill will adopt the local laws state-wide by introducing a sanction of eight penalty units ($1453) for:

•           A person who organises, participates in promotes or attends a hoon event without a reasonable excuse.

•           A person who stops or parks in close proximity to a hoon event without lawful excuse.

Mr Grimley acknowledges that there are very limited spaces for people who like motorsports to drive safely or compete.

He said one of the priorities of the community reference group should be to look at having open days, at skid pans or racetracks, where people can enjoy their sport in a safe manner.

This could go a long way in protecting people’s lives and public or private infrastructure.

“I’m rapt to see the establishment of the Hooning Community Reference Group and I thank the minister for working with me on this,” Mr Grimley said.

“It’s clear that the community has had enough of illegal, and dangerous, hooning.

“I have a feeling that the group will recommend that current local laws outlawing attendance at hoon events be adopted state-wide.

“Similar laws in local councils have had good results, however often the hoons just move to the neighbouring council where there are no anti-hoon event laws.

“Since introducing my bill to parliament I’ve had many motorsport enthusiasts contact me.

“I agree that there are not enough dedicated facilities available for people to use, however, it is not a fair excuse to be driving dangerously on our public roads, putting lives and property at risk.

“I would like to see the community reference group investigate how local councils have implemented anti-hoon event laws, other approaches that could stop hoon events, and where facilities could be built or repurposed for people to use for motorsports.

 The Hooning Community Reference Group can be made up of any members of the community, local councils, motorsport enthusiasts or operators, police and others, and Mr Grimley has encouraged all to apply.

Mr Grimley is pushing for the Community Reference Group to have interim recommendations to the government by September 2022, however the full suite of recommendations is likely due in 2023.

For more information on the Hooning Community Reference Group or to apply to become a member, visit the Department of Transport website.