The Government's review of the driving licence scheme is ill timed and does not go far enough, says United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne says that while he is pleased that the controversial new system is to be independently reviewed, he is concerned at its limited nature and timing.

"There are still significant individual privacy concerns amongst many licence holders about the security of the digitised photographic licence, which a proper independent review ought to address."

"Indeed, two cases challenging this aspect of the system are presently before the High Court."

"By announcing a limited review at this stage, the Government is in effect making a judgement that the High Court will not rule in favour of the cases currently before it, which is extremely unwise, to say the least," he says.

Mr Dunne says the whole saga of the introduction of the new licensing system has been a mess from the beginning, and a tinkering review at this stage is unlikely to make much difference.

"The only credible course of action is for the Government to review the whole system once the High Court has ruled on the cases before it."

"Anything less than that will have the look of unfinished business about it," he says.

ENDS

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