Dear Ms Bax
I write with reference to your email on the subject of seat belts. I also feel that this is an important issue and one the government is in the process of addressing.
The Beattie Government has identified the safety of students travelling to and from school as one of the most important issues for both parents and communities.
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
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
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
§ Launch and implementation of the Managing Student Behaviour Training Package for school bus operators.
|
Thank
you for raising this matter of community concern.
Kind
regards
Sincerely
Merri
Rose MP
Member for
Currumbin
|
This is Merri Rose - former State Member for Currumbin (ALP), until 7th February 2004.
She was a member of the "Select Committee on Travelsafe" from 15 September 1995 to 2 April 1996.
Dear Ms. Rose,
Thankyou for your email to myself on Wednesday 28th January 2004.
I am glad that you feel school bus safety is an important issue - however, it appears to be less important to the ALP Beattie Government than football stadiums and footbridges across the Brisbane River.
I say this because, in the Government's term of 2001 - 2004, both the above mentioned projects have been successfully (and spectacularly), completed - whilst I could get on any school bus in this State tomorrow, and photograph EXACTLY the same conditions as I did in 2001.
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:-
- 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.)
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 Currumbin 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.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Regards - Kim Bax (mum)
Merri Rose was ousted from Parliament on the 7th February 2004 - and never responded to the above email.