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Correspondence between Kim Bax, mum, and Fiona Simpson MP (National), Maroochydore - on the issue of seatbelts on school buses

Fiona Simpson's response to Kim Bax's questions of 22nd January 2004 - received on the 5th February 2004:- TOP

I acknowledge receipt of your email of January 22, 2004 in relation to seatbelts on school buses. I apologise for the delay in responding.

However, policies have been formally released over the period of the election campaign.

The National-Liberal Coalition has released its policy which is available on the website – www.springborg.com. as Policy No. 87.

Fiona Simpson
Member for Maroochydore
Shadow Minister for Health and Women's Policy
Phone: 07 54 437995
Fax: 07 54 437242 TOP

Kim Bax replied to Fiona Simpson MP on the 5th February 2004, and asked some further questions:- TOP

87 Coalition Plans for School Bus Safety - Press Conference, Goondiwindi, Januarry 31, 2004 A State Coalition Government will get on with the job of putting seatbelts onto school buses and also double the amount of money available to upgrade the school bus fleet. At present the average age of the bus fleet is 18 years old.

However, I'm wondering if there's a more specific/detailed Co-alition policy document on this issue - either already in place, or in the process of being put together? One that specifically mentions the recommendation of the September 2001 "Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force" to introduce seatbelts on all school buses over the next 15 years - and commits to implementing that policy? I have also asked Lawrence Springborg MP this question.

Leisa, (Marc Rowell's secretary - he's the National Party Parliamentary Member for Hinchinbrook), emailed me a Co-alition policy document just recently (as a pdf attachment) - but my new, super-tough virus screen wouldn't allow me to open it. Leisa emailed me again (to get my postal address), so she could send it. Hopefully, it will drop into my letterbox soon

I also had an email to-day from Tim Mulherin - ALP State Member for Mackay - that concerns me. I have reproduced (below), an excerpt of my reply to Tim. This excerpt illustrates my worries:-

Thankyou for your email of 5th February 2004, and your curtesy in replying to me. As you acknowledge, I am passionate about putting seatbelts in school buses. However, I am extremely disturbed by this Government's FAILURE to commit to the safety of our children - admitted in your correspondence. I quote from your most recent email:-

"It would be premature to make specific comments or give any guarantees regarding the recommendations of the Taskforce as they will not be available for scrutiny until April 2004."

This contrasts (very starkly), with the guarantee I've had from my own local State member (Kev Lingard of the National Party). Here's a key quote from the email he sent me to-day:-

"The Task Force" - Tim - has ALREADY reported (in September 2001). It's recommendation to fit seatbelts in school buses is a matter of public record, and has been for some time. Perhaps though, your Government has cobbled together a SECOND "Task Force" because it didn't like what the first one said? Let's face it, seatbelts on school buses just might cost a few football stadiums - or foot-bridges over the river for Brisbane residents?"

In a nutshell, Fiona, what an earth is the SECOND "Task Force" that Tim Mulherin refers to - and HOW MANY "Task Force's" is Mr. Beattie going to convene before he gets the answer (I fear), he might want e.g. that he doesn't have to spend Government money on seat-belting Queensland school children? I have asked Lawrence Springborg (the leader of your party), investigate this for me.

Also, could you please confirm (as did Kev Lingard, my local State Member), that you have read Professor Joubert's chilling prediction about the potential devastation from a school bus crash in present circumstances. The full text of the Professor's letter is available on the front page of my web site.

4 weeks later, on the 4th March 2004, Kim Bax had not heard back from Fiona Simpson - so she sent a reminder notice:- TOP

Just a note to let you know that in my new role as Shadow Minister for Transport I will be pursuing this issue further. I will contact you again as soon as I have received replies to some of the enquiries I am making.

Kim Bax acknowledged Fiona's email of 12th March 2004 (on the 12th March 2004):- TOP

Best wishes - Kim TOP

Further (very helpful), correspondence from Fiona Simpson, received on the 5th April 2004:- TOP

Dear Mrs Bax

Further to your emails, I wish to clarify that I have read the letter from Professor Peter Joubert that outlines a horrifying prediction of what could happen if a school bus, not fitted with seatbelts, was involved in a certain type of road smash.

As you are no doubt aware from your extensive correspondence with Nationals Members of Parliament, we committed at the last election to double funding for the upgrade of vehicles from the present $3 million per annum to $6 million per annum and committed a further $5 million for fitting seatbelts to existing school buses.

I am very disappointed that the Beattie Government has referred the results of school bus seatbelt trails back to the School Transport Safety Task Force, which has of course already reported on this issue.

I will look for opportunities to raise the issue in Parliament.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Simpson

Member for Maroochydore

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Kim Bax replies to Fiona Simpson MP, 5th April 2004:- TOP

Thankyou so much Fiona for your email of 5th April 2004. I think it is very important for State Members to acknowledge that they've read Professor Joubert's horrific predictions in regard to the potential of a school bus crash (as you have acknowledged). After all, he is Australia's key expert in this area - being largely responsible for the "Australian Design Rules" that currently apply to inter-state coaches (but NOT school buses). He was awarded the "Order of Australia" for his services to engineering.

Strangely enough, I cannot get either Peter Beattie MP or Paul Lucas MP to make this simple admission. In the latter case, Mr. Paul Lucas MP (Qld. Transport Minister), has completely ignored my questions of 22nd January 2004 for over 2 months (despite two reminders in the interim).

Your policy commitments to seatbelts on school buses are very positive - and like yourself, I'm very disappointed that Peter Beattie MP has created yet another "Task Force" to look into the issue. Presumably, he didn't like the recommendations of the first one e.g. to fit seatbelts in all Queensland school buses over the next 15 years. The first "Task Force" was composed of community representatives - however, this one is composed entirely of Government Departments. It is due to report (I believe), at the end of April 2004.

Professor Joubert made a submission to the first "Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force" (in 2001). You may be interested in this extract from that submission:-

". . . . . . . . This brings us to one of my main points, namely, bus accidents with school children and especially coaches on freeways at high speed may be rare events but when they occur they are so horrific as to bring the wrath of God and especially the wrath of the parents of the children upon the heads of the bureaucrats and the members of the investigating committees who hide behind statistics for their lack of proper protection of school children."

Here's a link to Joubert's full submission:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/joubert_submission.htm

You may also be interested in article in the "Australian Medical Association News" (Qld.), of September 2000. It deals with a hypothetical school bus crash on the Warrego Highway. I warn you though, it is rather graphic:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/chilling_quotes.htm#ama

These links may also be of interest to you. Firstly, you "page" on my site (updated with this correspondence):-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/maroochydore.htm

Secondly, a link to a page that outlines past, ongoing and upcoming publicity in regard to this campaign:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/media_diary.htm

All the best - Kim

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