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Correspondence between Kim Bax, mum, & Tim Mulherin MP (Labour Party) - Member for Mackay, in regard to seatbelts on school buses.

Tim Mulherin's first response to Kim Bax's questions of January 22nd 2004 - received on the 28th January 2004:- TOP

Our Government identified safe student transport as one of the most important issues facing parents and communities and set up a trial of seatbelts on school buses in 2003 in response to the recommendations of the independent School Transport Safety Task Force and the Interdepartmental Working Group.

In this six month trial, 12 school buses throughout Queensland were fitted with seat belts with the aim of finding solutions for a range of legal, behavioural and operational issues regarding seat belts, before further consideration of their inclusion in the Queensland school bus fleet.

The trial has been evaluated by an independent transport research organisation, ARRB Transport Research, and the School Transport Safety Interdepartmental Working Group has now been reconvened to examine the results and further investigate issues such as legal responsibility and compliance.

The Taskforce is due to provide their reccomendations by April 2004, and I look forward to their announcement.

I note your last sentence, "I trust this information is of assistance to you." Actually, despite the wealth of information you appear to convey, it isn't. I will explain why.

Unfortunately, extensive as your reply is, you neither acknowledge or answer the questions I asked in my original correspondence - so for the benefit of your electors (and most importantly, for the benefit of the children who use school transport in your electorate), I'll ask those questions again:-

In reading your correspondence to myself of 28th January 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 Mackay deserve a GREAT deal better from you when it comes to the safety of their children.

May I suggest you read my original correspondence more carefully - so as to provide a thoughtful, personal and considered response - one that acknowledges and addresses the questions that have been put to you.

Tim Mulherin's further response to Kim Bax - received on the 5th February 2004:- TOP

TIM MULHERIN MP
Member for Mackay TOP

However, some key questions were still not answered - so Kim Bax wrote to Tim Mulherin again on the 5th February 2004:- TOP

Dear Tim,

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:-

I agree with your terminology of “banning standing students in 90km/hr and 100km/hr speed zones”.
I have read Professor Joubert’s letter.
I do support the full implementation of the recommendations of the Queensland “Task Force” during the life of the next Parliament.
I am prepared to speak in Parliament regarding this report.

"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?

And again Tim, you have failed to answer one of my key questions - e.g. have you personally, or have you not, read Professor Joubert's letter to me of August 2001, the one that contains the following quote:-

"The bus you describe loaded with 103 children and 40 standees together with school bags, no seatbelts, low backed seats with no energy absorption in an impact with another vehicle of equal or greater mass would, in my opinion, give rise to an accident greater than the Grafton disaster. In a roll over that might occur there is great potential for an equally disastrous event. I would forecast a 40% to 50% death rate and over 90% injury rate for the remaining children."

The full text of this letter can be read at:

www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004

Professor Joubert headed the investigations after the Grafton/Kempsey bus horror (52 dead), authored the current safety standards on inter-state coaches and was awarded the "Order of Australia" for his services to engineering. In other words, he is Australia's LEADING expert. I think your electorate has a right to know whether or not you've read his chilling prediction.

I look forward to hearing from you again shortly.

Regards - Kim TOP

4 weeks later, on the 4th March 2004, Tim had still not responded Kim Bax's email of 5th February 2004 - so she sent a reminder:- TOP

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

Dear Tim,

4 weeks ago, on the 5th February 2004, I sent you some correspondence. It has still not been acknowledged. The email in question can be directly accessed via this link:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/tim_mulherin.htm#kimbax5feb

Tim - I would like an answer from you, as would your voters e.g. have you, or have you not, read Professor Joubert's horrific predictions about the potential of a school bus crash. Here is a direct link to his key letter:-

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

It was a question I also asked on the 5th February - but to which you have failed to respond. I would also welcome any personal comments you'd like to make on Joubert's warnings.

Best wishes - Kim TOP

A further 4 weeks later - on the 1st April 2004 - there's still no word from Tim Mulherin MP, so Kim Bax sends another reminder:- TOP

From Kim Bax - Mum & schoolbus seatbelt campaigner, Beaudsert Shire

Dear Tim,

On the 22nd January 2004, I asked you whether or you had read Professor Joubert's predictions re the potential consequences of a school bus crash. This is of some importance, due to the Professor's acknowledged (leading), eminence in the field of bio-mechanics.

I asked you this same question again, on the 5th February 2004 - as you hadn't answered it in your correspondence to me of 28th January 2004, and 5th February 2004.

I wrote to you again 4 weeks later, on the 5th March 2004 - as I had still not heard from you re this point.

Now, a further 4 weeks later, on the 1st April 2004, I have still heard nothing further from you.

For your convenience, all the relevant correspondence between us can be accessed via this link:-

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

Tim - the Professor is predicting 40 to 50 dead children in a school bus accident - and 30 to 40 injured ones, I just wondered whether or not you'd had the time to read his letter? And even - perhaps - make some kind of personal comment it on it? To make it easy, here's a direct link:-

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

Regards - Kim Bax

PS - you may be interested in this link, it's a comprehensive "diary" of past, upcoming and ongoing publicity re this campaign (and website):-

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

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