Chairperson, the IFP understands that the Transport Laws Repeal Bill urgently requires simplification. In addition, all obsolete and extremely primitive legislation also requires eradication. For instance, there are currently 20 Railway Construction Acts which allow for the construction of equipment at various places within our country. These laws are often outdated and we believe that the industry must be broadened in order for the greater part of our country to benefit. It is as necessary as a dental root-canal procedure, but will hopefully be less painful.
The Bill seeks to repeal legislation which has been identified by the SA Law Reform Commission as being inconsistent with the equality clause in the Constitution or as being redundant and obsolete. I am sure we all agree that legislation which is no longer of any practical import and utility has no place in effective governance. Legislation which continues to have legal effect even when the purpose for which it was enacted no longer exists, or is being met by alternative means, must likewise be repealed. Our rail system is in urgent need of modernisation. The IFP believes that this is the most opportune time to consider wide-gauge railway lines, as well as the manufacture of commuter-friendly coaches. In conclusion, the IFP, therefore, supports the culling of all unnecessary, obsolete and redundant laws because they impact negatively upon service delivery. I thank you. [Applause.]