Dear Caroline,

 

Thankyou for your response.

 

There are three very important points I need to get across to you. 

 

Firstly, the Premier's Office has, most definitely, NOT answered the specific questions I put to you on 22nd January 2004 - although those specific questions were put Mr. Beattie (as they they were put to you), on that date. 

 

Secondly, every member of the State parliament has a responsibility to take a serious and informed position on important issues affecting members of their electorate.  I would have thought "sloughing off" (so to speak), that responsibility to "The Premier's Office" and the "ALP" demonstrates a serious lack of concern (and interest in), this issue.  I will elaborate.

 

Professor Peter Joubert HEADED the committees following the Grafton/Kempsey horror bus crashes (52 dead - many more horribly injured).  He formulated ALL the Australian Design Rules (interstate coaches), and was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to engineering.  This foremost authority predicts the potential of 50 dead kids and 50 mutilated ones in a school bus crash.  Are you seriously telling me that you REFUSE to comment on whether or not you personally have read this key correspondence?

 

I have also asked whether or not YOU support the implementation of the recommendations of the "Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force" (including their recommendation to fit seatbelts on school buses over a 15 year period), within the coming 3 year Parliamentary term - and I have asked what YOU intend to do to promote this.  My inquiry was directed at YOU - and you should have enough integrity and intelligence to answer on your own behalf (I assume). 

 

Perhaps you may wish take some advice from Warren Pitt - the ALP State member for Mulgrave.  This gentleman takes the issue of safety on his local school buses so seriously that he rang me at home last week (around 8pm one evening - after an exhausting day in his electorate).  He spent an hour on the phone.  He's extremely concerned - but then, I suppose he would be.  He's an ex-teacher (as you probably know) - and he experienced first-hand what it's like for a local community to pull 8 dead kids out of school bus, and 12 mutilated ones.  Gordonvale, Mulgrave electorate - 1987 (in case you've forgotten).  Mr. Warren Pitt is obviously not satisfied with delegating his responsibilities to "The Premier's Office" and the "ALP."

 

Thirdly, I am co-ordinating a Queensland wide campaign to improve school bus safety.  As part of this lobbying, I am seeking feedback from every member of the State Parliament on this issue. 

 

I assume Glasshouse is in the State of Queensland - and the children in Glasshouse use school transport?  

 

I look forward to some further correspondence from you - correspondence that (hopefully), does not seek to avoid reasonable questions - questions which are of key concern to many members of your electorate (judging from the phone calls and emails I've received).

To jog your memory, here they are again:-

• 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, when you reply those questions - it might be useful to label your answers "1, 2 & 3" respectively.  This would avoid any further confusion about what (specifically), has and has not been answered

 

Regards - Kim Bax (mum)                   TOP

Still no response from Caroline Male 4 weeks later on the 3rd March 2004 - Kim Bax sends a reminder:-    TOP