Page 1121 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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coach tour operations in the ACT. He then asked a supplementary question on the same topic. The answers to both questions are as follows:
The Government is aware of the problems facing ACT coach operators who are trying to compete in New South Wales. However, recent moves to deregulate coach services by the New South Wales Government should assist ACT coach operators to compete with their New South Wales counterparts.
In addition, the ACT (Self-Government) Act gave the ACT "State-type" rights to freedom of trade which will allow ACT coach operators to provide services out of the ACT into New South Wales.
The Minister for Housing and Urban Services, Mrs Grassby, is aware of the concerns of the ACT coach operators and met with them last month. As a result of this meeting she has written to her New South Wales counterpart, Mr Baird, seeking discussions on cross-border operations and has asked her department to establish a liaison committee with the coach industry to discuss problems facing the industry.
Bicycle Safety Helmets
Ms Follett: Yesterday Mrs Nolan asked: What is the Government going to do to ensure that safety helmets are worn by all bicyclists? The answer to the member's question is as follows:
The approaches that may be taken to improve helmet wearing rates include education, promotion and regulation. The Administration has been trying to increase helmet wearing rates through comprehensive education and promotion initiatives. There has, in fact, been considerable success in promoting helmet wearing through preschool and primary school road safety programs and other initiatives.
Our school based education and promotion efforts have helped to lift helmet wearing rates for ACT school children from 18 per cent in 1987 to over 30 per cent in 1989 and I anticipate further rises with each annual survey.
On the issue of regulation, experience in other States indicates it is difficult to legislate for compulsory helmet wearing for the following reasons:
Public opinion is very divided on this issue and resistance to wearing helmets is based on factors such as cost, comfort and, particularly among children, peer pressure. None of the States legislate for compulsory helmet use.
It is not always possible to change people's habits through legislation without adequate enforcement.
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