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Correspondence between Kim Bax, mum, and Kerry Shine MP (Labour), Toowoomba North - on the issue of seatbelts on school buses

This is the response Kim Bax received from Kerry Shine MP (on the 23rd January 2004), in reply to her questions of 22nd January 2004. However, it doesn't say much, just says he forwarding my correspondence to relevant Ministers:- (TOP)

Per G Liesch Electorate Officer (TOP)

Kim Bax replies to Kerry Shine MP on the 24th January 2004:- (TOP)

Dear Kerry,

Thankyou for your prompt response to my email of 22nd January 2004.

However, my first email asked one question which should (at least), be very simple/quick to answer, e.g:-

"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)?"

There should be no need to await a reply from Mr. Beattie or Mr. Bredhauer before you answer that one very simple point. In a nutshell, have you read Joubert's letter, or haven't you? This is a very important question, as Joubert predicts the potential of a 50% death rate/90% injury rate in a school bus crash.

Most reasonable parents would want/expect you to read this information (as it has been made available) - and they may want some prompt reassurance on this point.

I look forward to another quick reply on this simple question (e.g., BEFORE you hear back from Beattie/Bredhauer).

Best wishes - Kim Bax.

A further email sent to Mr. Kerry Shine (by mum Kim Bax), on Saturday 24th January 2004:-

Dear Kerry,

I note you are a solicitor and a member of the Queensland Law Society. I have two questions for you. Firstly, are you aware of the extensive lobbying of the Queensland Law Society in regard to the issue of seatbelts on school buses? Secondly, have you read the submission of the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association (2001), in regard to school bus safety (authored by solicitor Rob Davis)?

I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best - Kim Bax (TOP)

However, 4 weeks later (on the 24th February 2004), there has been no further response from Kerry Shine MP - and Kim Bax sends him a reminder:- (TOP)

Goodmorning,

Over four weeks ago to-day (24th January 2004), I sent you two emails. I have not, as yet, received any response. For your convenience, here's a link to them:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004/toowoomba_north.htm

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards - Kim Bax

PS - I will update the above link (to-day), with this correspondence (TOP)

8 weeks after Kim Bax's reply to Kerry Shine MP (23rd & 24th January 2004), and 4 weeks after a reminder (24th February 2004), there is still no response at all from Kerry - and Kim Bax sends him another reminder on the 26th March 2004:-

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

Goodmorning Kerry,

I would draw your attention to my unanswered correspondence of 22nd January 2004 (over 8 weeks ago). For your convenience, it can be accessed via this link:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/correspondence.htm#email22january2004

And my unanswered correspondence of 24th January (again, over 8 weeks ago):-

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

And my unanswered correspondence of 24th February 2004 (over 4 weeks ago):-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/reminder_toowoomba_north.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 - not an unreasonable expectation). 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 them 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).

PPS - You may be more interested in expert opinions, rather than my more humble ones. Here's a link to an article from the Australian Medical Association News (Queensland). I warn you though, it is rather graphic:-

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