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Thursday 19th February 2004

Goodmorning to all members of the Queensland Parliament,

From:- Kim Bax, mum, Beaudesert Shire.  Re:- An official reminder notice in regard to my questions of 22^nd January 2004, about school bus safety/school bus seatbelts.

On the 22^nd January 2004, I wrote to all members of this Parliament, asking each member three key questions (they were sent to the 8 new members on the 8^th and 12^th of February 2004).  These questions related to the safety of every school child, in every electorate. 

As I write this official reminder notice exactly four weeks later, only 20 out of a total of 89 elected representatives have even acknowledged that correspondence – and out of that 20, only two have addressed (and paid close attention to), the three questions that were actually asked.  I would suggest the people of Queensland deserve a great deal more from those they entrust with their votes, especially when it comes to the safety of their children.  I do, however, acknowledge that the 8 new members may still need time to respond.

Since the 22^nd January 2004, there have been two coach accidents – one involving a schoolbus, and one involving a route used by schoolbuses.  Firstly, here’s a quote from a news report about the most recent incident (17^th Feb. 2004):-

“Dozens of schoolchildren were saved from serious injury yesterday in north Queensland when the wheels of their school bus fell off while driving in a 60km/h zone.”

Secondly, here’s a quote from a news report about an incident on the 6^th February 2004:-

“Twelve people were in hospital, four with spinal injuries, after a bus crash near Proserpine in central Queensland.  They were all travelling on a Premier Motor Service coach which crashed down an embankment on the Bruce Highway about 5.30am (AEST). The accident happened at Gibsons Creek, between Bloomsbury and Proserpine, about 1,000km north of Brisbane. The bus driver, who was trapped after the accident, sustained head and spinal injuries as well as fractures to his arm and leg. Three people were also taken to hospital in a serious condition with spinal injuries, a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesman said.  Others injured in the accident had sustained fractures, lacerations and bruising, he said. Premier Motor Service marketing manager Gordon Lowe said the injuries could have been much worse if the bus, travelling from Brisbane to Cairns, had not been fitted with seat belts. "We've always been safety conscious," he said. "All our coaches are equipped with seat belts."

In relation to this Proserpine crash, here’s a quote from an email I sent Jan Jarrett the same day (member for Whitsunday).  I also quoted it in an interview with ABC Radio Tropical North Queensland (17^th February 2004):-

"You should thank your luck stars that the bus involved in this accident WASN'T a school bus - though I imagine school buses use that route?  Believe me, I've been researching this issue for the past 4 years - and I've been speaking to experts from around the globe.  It that had been a school bus e.g. NO seatbelts, NO roll-over protection, inadequate/poor seat anchorages, NO high-backed seats, NO internal padding, bare internal metal fitments, loose/heavy school bags and kids packed into the aisles, your local community would have been looking at a bloodbath."

My original correspondence/questions (to all members), of 22^nd January 2004 can be accessed at this website:-

www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004

Almost at the top of the front page, there’s a picture of Queensland children crammed into a school bus.  Click on that image (as the adjoining text says), and you will taken to it.  Also, I have reproduced here the three key questions it contained:-

• 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.)

Of the 20 members that have responded to me to date, only two – Kev Lingard of Beaudesert and Warren Pitt of Mulgrave – have fully addressed these questions.  The remaining 18 members (that responded), have all received further correspondence from me, asking for clarification.  If I do not hear from those 18 members again, within an appropriate time frame, I will send them an official reminder (at around 4 weeks from the time they received my follow-up correspondence). 

As for the remaining 69 members that have not responded at all – in my opinion, you need to get your act together on this issue, and it’s an opinion (I’d wager), that’s shared by 95% of Queenslanders.  I look forward to receiving your answers on these vital questions.

Regards – Kim Bax

PS – my website has been updated with this official reminder notice.

PPS – on the front page of my website, far right hand column, you’ll see a number of links.  Two of them may be of particular interest to you, “Media & Publicity Diary – Past” and “Media & Publicity - Upcoming."

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