Attorney General, Simon Corbell, has expressed disappointment that important Government reforms to increase maximum penalties for culpable driving offences will not go ahead following a vote in the Legislative Assembly today.

Mr Corbell said the Canberra Liberals and ACT Greens put politics before community interests, in voting down the Government's legislation.

"The Government introduced this legislation into the Legislative Assembly in August, and now two months later, the Liberals and the Greens opposed reforms on this important legislation to protect their political interests over those of the Canberra community," Mr Corbell said.

"This legislation would see the maximum penalty for culpable driving offences raised to properly reflect the level of seriousness that the community places on such offences.

"I am disappointed that the other parties in the Assembly will not engage in a constructive dialogue with the Government on this matter, and will simply let these reforms be defeated, resulting in no changes to this important area of law."

The Crimes (Certain Penalty Increases) Amendment Bill 2011proposes to increase the maximum penalty for culpable driving causing death from 7 years to 14 years and the maximum penalty for culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm from 4 years to 10 years.

The Bill also raises the maximum penalty for recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm from 10 years to 13 years and the penalty for negligently causing grievous bodily harm from 2 years to 5 years.

"The Government has created this legislation following representations from both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the community," Mr Corbell said.

"It is not too late for either party to take the responsible course of action and support the government's proposed reforms, and the government remains open to engaging in further discussions about a way forward."