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Correspondence between Kim Bax, mum, and Jason O'Brien MP (Labour), Cook - on the issue of seatbelts on school buses

Here's Jason O'Brien's response (received 26th February 2004), to Kim Bax's questions of 22nd January 2004 (sent to him on the 8th February 2004):- (TOP)

Thanks very much for your "official reminder notice" which was emailed to me by one of my Parliamentary colleagues on 19 February 2004. Unfortunately, as a new member, I am not in receipt of the original correspondence. Can you please send me the original correspondence to this email address as soon as possible and I will be happy to respond to your concerns.

Here's Kim Bax's reply to Jason O'Brien MP (sent on the 26th February 2004):- (TOP)

However, Lesley Clark (Barron River), despite an interval of five weeks from my initial correspondence, plus one reminder notice, and an ABC Radio interview (in her locality), during which I call on her directly - and publicly - to answer the questions, still seems to think that the issue of seatbelting children doesn't warrant a response. (TOP)

However, 4 weeks later (on the 26th March), Kim Bax has heard nothing more from Jason O'Brien MP - so she sends him a reminder:- (TOP)

From Kim Bax, mum & school bus seatbelt campaigner - Beaudesert Shire

Goodmorning Stephen,

I would draw your attention to my unanswered correspondence of 20th February 2004 (almost 5 weeks ago). For your convenience, it can be accessed via this link:-

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

You might also be interested in my "media diary":-

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

I've also got to update my "media diary" section this morning. I've had an email from the Queensland Nurses Union. They're adding a link from my site to their's - and using one of the pics I took (of kids crammed into a schoolbus).

All the best - Kim

PS - as this is such a vital issue, I'll be sending reminder notices to all Queensland members (at 4 weekly intervals), until satisfactory answers are received (defined as something that actually acknowledges/addresses my original questions). I will continue to do this throughout this current 3 year Parliamentary term. At an opportune moment towards the end of this current term, I'll be contacting the local media of Members who have continued to ignore the issue of child safety (as regards seatbelting in moving vehicles) - and directing that local media to my meticulously kept web records of correspondence (plus, of course, all the the other graphic information my site contains). (TOP)

On the 26th March 2004, Kim Bax gets a short response from Jason O'Brien's office, promising a future reply:- (TOP)

Dear Ms Bax,

This office is currently in the process of preparing a reply to your correspondence.

Thank you for contacting.

Regards,

Cameron Unwin

Electorate Officer (TOP)

Kim Bax responds to this promise from Jason O'Briens's office on the 27th March 2004:- (TOP)

Thanks for that, I look forward to receiving it.

Best wishes - Kim (TOP)

Jason O'Brien MP responds to Kim Bax on the 29th March 2004:- (TOP)

Dear Ms Bax,

Thank you for your correspondence concerning seat belts on school buses and progress on implementing the recommendations made by the Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force.

This Government has identified the safety of our children travelling to and from school as one of the most important issues for both parents and communities.

I have been advised by the Minister for Transport that the School Transport Safety Task Force delivered its final report to the government in September 2001. The government set up an interdepartmental working group (IWG) to examine the policy, operational and financial implications of the Task Force recommendations. The IWG submitted a report to government which provided a series of recommendations based on the ideas put forward by the Task Force.

These recommendations included trials of 30km/h school zones, seat belts on school buses, and of a community engagement program to encourage ownership of school transport safety in the community. There were also a number of education and bus-related recommendations. In response to this report the government approved $4.63M funding in 2002/03 to commence the interdepartmental working group recommendations, as well as $4.03M per year ongoing funding.

As previously advised, in 2003 a trial of seatbelts on school buses was conducted in response to recommendations made by the independent School Transport Safety Task Force and the Interdepartmental Working Group.

The trial involved fitting ADR68/00 seats and seat belts to 12 school buses throughout Queensland operating on long steep and very steep bus routes – where standing passengers are currently not permitted. The buses involved in the trial were split into either a low, medium or high encouragement group in order to measure the effect of education on seat belt wearing rates and student behaviour in the buses.

The aim of this trial was to identify and develop solutions for a range of legal, behavioural and operational issues before further consideration for inclusion in the Queensland school bus fleet.

The evaluation of the trial, which ran for six months, was conducted by the independent transport research organisation ARRB Transport Research. The key aim of the evaluation was to establish seat belt usage rates and identify the impact of seat belts on student behaviour.

The School Transport Safety Interdepartmental Working Group has been reconvened to examine the results of the trial and further investigate issues such as legal responsibility and compliance. The taskforce will provide recommendations by April 2004.

Other initiatives implemented as a direct result of the School Transport Safety Task Force include:

§ Development of the School Environment Safety Guidelines to help local schools and communities to improve safety around schools;

§ Safe Communities Trial to assist school based community groups through facilitating, engaging and observing these groups as they considered transport safety issues in their local community;

§ Increased school transport safety public education to improve road safety for children travelling to and from school;

§ SchoolBUS (School Bus Upgrade Scheme), which provides $3 million each year to help school bus operators across Queensland progressively upgrade their fleets; and

§ Launch and implementation of the Managing Student Behaviour Training Package for school bus operators.

Kind Regards,

Jason O’Brien
Member for Cook (TOP)

However, Jason O'Brien's response of 29th March 2004 avoids the questions - and Kim Bax sends him another email:- (TOP)

Thankyou Jason for your very comprehensive reply - it was full of information, however, it wasn't the information I asked for. I am perfectly aware of current Government policy in relation to seatbelts on school buses. These are the three questions I asked you:-

Have you read the full text of Professor Joubert's letter (available at www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004 ) ? Professor Joubert is the author of all the current Australian Design Rules (in relation to interstate coaches), he's been awarded the Order of Australia in relation to his services to engineering and he headed the committees in the wake of the Kempsey/Grafton bus crash horror (1989 - 52 dead, many more horribly injured).

Do you unequivocally support the FULL implementation of the recommendations of the Queensland "Task Force" within the life of the next Parliament (2004/2007)?

In what practical ways do you (or have already), intend to support/advocate for the full implementation of "Task Force" recommendations? (e.g., for instance, speaking in parliament, writing letters, serving on committees etc.)

Perhaps, to avoid any further confusion and/or disagreement over what has (or hasn't), been answered, the simplest solution would be to number your answers "1, 2 & 3" in your next reply (thus corresponding with the three questions above). Jason, this is a very serious issue - it involves children's lives, and I will not allow any politician to sidestep legitimate questions.

In fact, in reading your correspondence of 29th March 2004, I am very much reminded of the comedy skit that sometimes graces the end of the ABC's "7.30" Report, (John Clark and Phillip Dawes). They parody that typical (and infuriating), political response - you know, the one where the politician answers everything but the question that was placed in front of them. That scenario is very funny - but it is also extremely sad, and goes a long way towards illustrating (in a very stark way), why many people have lost faith in politicians. The residents of Cook deserve a GREAT deal better from you when it comes to the safety of their children.

I look to forward to hearing from you again in the near future, with some direct answers.

Regards - Kim

PS - Your "page" has been updated with this correspondence. (TOP)