New Page 1

Correspondence between Kim Bax, mum, and Lawrence Springborg MP (National), Southern Downs - on the issue of seatbelts on school buses

This is Lawrence Springborg's response to the questions Kim Bax sent him on the 22nd January 2004 - received on the 5th of 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. I have also enclosed a copy of the Coalition's Media Release on school bus safety.

The State Coalition will double the funding available for upgrading the school bus fleet and allocate an additional $5 million towards putting seatbelts on school buses.

National-Liberal Coalition Leader, Lawrence Springborg, announced the upgrade to school bus transport in Goondiwindi today.

“The Coalition believes the safety of our children should be a true priority of Government.

“It’s time the Beattie Labor Government stopped dithering around. Unfortunately this issue never seems to be a true priority of this government. Instead it goes from a Task Force to an interdepartmental committee where it simply gets lost in the bureaucratic wasteland,” Mr Springborg said.

Mr Springborg said that the School Transport Safety Task Force had first handed down its Report in 2001 which called for a fleet upgrade.

“There are 2,449 school buses being operated in Queensland by 1,010 operators, and the average age of the buses taking our children to school is around 18 years.

“The Coalition will double the amount of funding available to speed up the replacement process,” Mr Springborg said.

Under the scheme bus operators will receive a subsidy of up to 40% when purchasing a bus which is up to 5 years old.

“And unlike the Beattie Labor Government, which 3 years later is still evaluating a trial of seat belts on school buses, the State Coalition is prepared to get on with the job.

This is the further email that Kim Bax sent Lawrence Springborg on the 5th February 2004:-

87 Coalition Plans for School Bus Safety - Press Conference, Goondiwindi, January 331, 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.

Personally, I think it's great news - and I've also reproduced (on this page), the press release you sent with your email. 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?

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, Lawrence, 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? Could you please 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 Thursday 4th March 2004, Lawrence Springborg had not replied to Kim Bax's email of 5th February - so she sent him a reminder notice:- TOP

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

Goodmorning Lawrence,

4 weeks ago, on the 4th March, I sent you some correspondence/questions. I imagine you've been very busy - but as yet, I've not had a response.

The email in question can be directly accessed via this link:-

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2005/lawrence_springborg.htm#kim5feb

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes - Kim

PS - As part of this campaign, I'm endeavouring to get direct - and personal - answers from every member of the Parliament. In this way, members will be directly responsible to their own voters for their actions, or inactions, on this problem. For instance, in my original questions of January 22nd 2004, directly accessible via this link:-

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

I ask every member to say - in writing - whether they have read Professor Joubert's horrfic predictions of (potentially), 50 dead children in a school bus accident, directly available via this link:-

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

Perhaps you could comment after you've read Joubert's letter - and add any personal observations you would like to make.

On Tuesday 9th March 2004, Lawrence Springborg responded:- TOP

Dear Kim

I refer to your recent emails concerning your campaign. Let me clarify firstly that I have read the comments from Professor Peter Joubert.

I note with concern the government’s decision to refer the seat belts issue to yet another task force. You may be assured that as Leader of the Opposition I shall continue to keep the Government to its commitments to the implementation of the recommendations of the “task force”.

The Opposition’s policies released prior to the last election, to which all National Members are committed, clearly indicate our commitment to improving the safety of school buses.

Yours sincerely

Original Signed

LAWRENCE SPRINGBORG TOP
Leader of the Opposition

Kim Bax sent an acknowledgement of this reply to Lawrence, on the Wednesday 10th March 2004:- TOP

Thanks Lawrence - I really appreciate your message. I also note that you have put in writing that you have read Professor Joubert's horrific predictions - so far, I have been unable to get Mr. Beattie to make the same admission, despite my direct question. If this continues, perhaps at some point over the coming term, you could also question him on this.

Your sentence "I note with concern the government's decision to refer the seat belts issue to yet another task force," echoes my feelings exactly.

I am also heartened to read "I shall continue to keep the Government to its commitments to the implementation of the recommendations of the 'task force'."

Over the coming 3 years, I'll keep an eye on the Parliamentary Hansard records in regard to this issue (via their very efficient search engine), however, feel free to email me any relevant comments from yourself (or other members of your Party). This is your page (linked to my website):-

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

I'll update it with this correspondence now, and also add any further info/quotes you might want to send in the future.

This email that I received today from the Queensland Nurses Union may also be of interest to you:-

"Hello Kim,

We have finally had our editorial committee meeting for the April issue. It's been agreed that your campaign/website will be mentioned in the edition to be published on 5 April.

Regards,

Joan Skewes

QNU Publications Officer"

As I'm sure you realise, nurses are part of every community from one end of the State to the other - and very many are also working parents forced to rely on school transport.

Best wishes - Kim