Dear Kim

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.

Our policy is to upgrade the school bus fleet and bring in seat belts.

Lawrence Springborg mp 

Leader of the National-Liberal Coalition        

Leader of the Opposition       

Leader of The Nationals

31 January, 2004

Coalition to invest in 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.

Media inquiries:  Greg Jackson  0419 – 713 246

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This is Lawrence Springborg MP - Member for Southern Downs and Leader of the Opposition.  Click on the picture to email him.

He has four young children.

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87   Coalition Plans for School Bus Safety - Press Conference, Goondiwindi, January 31, 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:-

"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?"

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.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

All the best - Kim