Clock ticks for Rory’s Law
LANDMARK legislation that would see a Geelong cyclist who was left paraplegic compensated for medical care looks unlikely to be passed before the State Government enters caretaker mode.
Drysdale farmer Rory Wilson was reduced to tears in June when the Government introduced new legislation that would see his medical costs covered by the Transport Accident Commission.
Mr Wilson’s spinal cord was severed when he hit a parked truck while riding his bike with his head down in wet, windy conditions on July 9, 2014.
Even though his accident occurred on the road, a quirk in legislation left him ineligible for TAC cover because the circumstances of his accident did not meet the legal definition of a transport accident.
Following years of public battle from Mr Wilson, the State Government formally introduced a Bill on June 6 to change the legal definition of a transport accident to include a collision between a pedal cycle and a stationary vehicle.
But there has been little movement since the Bill was introduced. It is yet to be debated or put to a vote in either house of Victorian parliament.
With just seven sitting days of parliament left before the Government goes into caretaker mode on October 30 ahead of the November state election, Mr Wilson and his legal team are fearful of lengthy and significant delays.
Fortitude Legal principal lawyer Tom Burgoyne, who represents Mr Wilson, said with a large backlog of bills before parliament there is a concern Rory’s Law will not be dealt with in time, leading to significant delays. ACROSS 2 Handles cranks 5 Stick to the commercial in
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“Rory has been fighting his case over four long years. To then get the news in June that after an extensive collaborative effort between the Labor Government, the TAC and various stakeholders Rory’s Law was to be introduced frankly reduce a lot of people to tears of gratitude and relief,” Mr Burgoyne said.
He said Mr Wilson would not receive the financial support he needed until the TAC funding was issued.
“We call upon those with the power to do so to action this Bill for Rory’s sake and for all cyclists’ sake,” Mr Burgoyne said.
Mr Wilson said he was disappointed the Bill had not yet passed and did not want it to be
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with horror (US) 18 Simmer out west 19 Steers bullocks 13 sidelined. “I would hate to see the great work involved in the Bill be put on the backburner,” he said.
While the Government would not speculate on the likelihood of the Bill being passed before October 30 a spokesman said the Government was working to see the changes become law as quickly as possible.
“We have introduced changes to parliament to ensure cyclists like Rory Wilson injured on our roads get the support they deserve,” the spokesman said.
TAC chief executive Joe Calafiore said the authority was working closely with the Government to help get the amendments passed.