❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the Minister for Education regarding increased transport costs for school events following the introduction of a new bus seatbelt policy, which the Minister denies knowledge of, stating schools are responsible for complying with existing policy.
AnsweredQoN 245Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOLS — BUS SEATBELT POLICY
245. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for
Education:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the introduction of the new bus seatbelt policy in 2015 has
also meant a massive increase in the cost of transport for school sporting
events and swimming lessons; for example, for some schools the cost has
increased from $14 per student for five days of transport to attend swimming
lessons in 2014 to around $46 per student for five days of transport, and for
schools in zone 4, there is an additional $13 per kilometre on top of this to cover
fuel costs from the provider's depots?
(2) How does the
minister propose that schools cover those costs, and does the minister believe
that is a reasonable increase for parents to pick up?
245. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for
Education:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the introduction of the new bus seatbelt policy in 2015 has
also meant a massive increase in the cost of transport for school sporting
events and swimming lessons; for example, for some schools the cost has
increased from $14 per student for five days of transport to attend swimming
lessons in 2014 to around $46 per student for five days of transport, and for
schools in zone 4, there is an additional $13 per kilometre on top of this to cover
fuel costs from the provider's depots?
(2) How does the
minister propose that schools cover those costs, and does the minister believe
that is a reasonable increase for parents to pick up?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some
notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Education is not aware of the introduction of any new bus
seatbelt policy. The relevant section of the Department of Education's
excursion policy, which is dated 4 February 2014, states that there is no law
requiring children under seven years to use a child restraint or booster seat
on buses with more than 12 seats. However, schools should encourage children to
wear any seatbelts that are available. If anchor points for child restraints or
lap sash seatbelts for booster seats are available in the bus, the use of a
restraint that is appropriate to the age and size of the child should be
encouraged, if it is feasible that they be used in the circumstances.
(2) Schools
have the responsibility to comply with the policy and have the flexibility of
resourcing to enable this.
notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Education is not aware of the introduction of any new bus
seatbelt policy. The relevant section of the Department of Education's
excursion policy, which is dated 4 February 2014, states that there is no law
requiring children under seven years to use a child restraint or booster seat
on buses with more than 12 seats. However, schools should encourage children to
wear any seatbelts that are available. If anchor points for child restraints or
lap sash seatbelts for booster seats are available in the bus, the use of a
restraint that is appropriate to the age and size of the child should be
encouraged, if it is feasible that they be used in the circumstances.
(2) Schools
have the responsibility to comply with the policy and have the flexibility of
resourcing to enable this.
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