Page 3804 - Week 13 - Thursday, 18 October 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
are now readily available through department stores and other retail outlets, and I hope they will soon be available at corner stores.
Baby capsules are not cheap. They cost around $100 to $130, but this is surely a small price when measured against the possibility of serious injury or death to a young child through being unrestrained in a car. Capsules, by the way, can be used over and over again provided they have not been structurally damaged and their fastenings are in good condition and working correctly, and if the parents and grandparents keep them clean and nice smelling and disinfect them, and all that kind of thing.
The three-month period of grace in the Bill was mentioned by my colleague. I should like to add my voice to his on this by saying that, although the legislation will not be enforced until three months after the Bill is passed, parents of new-born babies and young children under one who do not already have a suitable restraint for their babies should make arrangements to purchase, borrow from a friend or relative, or hire a baby capsule or other appropriate restraint as soon as possible.
For the third time, let us remind ourselves of this excellent capsule hire scheme operating in the ACT, and the cost. It is run by the Child Accident Prevention Foundation and the cost is only $30. It also has a facility to provide capsules at little or no cost to persons in need. Finally, the motor vehicle registry technical staff can provide advice on the fitment of child restraints and baby capsules, at no cost to the inquirer. I believe this Bill will have wide reaching effects in reducing injury and death of young children and I urge you most strongly to support this Bill.
MR JENSEN (11.49): I recall, in relation to the issue of compulsory child restraints for children, that when we had our first child, compulsory restraints were not available for children and there was no requirement for them to be used. However, there was a very good bassinette restraint available at the time, which we took advantage of and which, I am sure, was most appropriate for the protection of our young children.
It is unfortunate that it has taken so long for the community to realise the importance of child restraints, particularly for those under one year of age. Many of us have often seen and been horrified to see young children sitting on the laps of their parents in their motor vehicles as they drive around the city. The sort of education program that the Minister is seeking to bring forward is most important for young parents in the ACT.
As has already been indicated, road crashes are the most common cause of death of Australian children up to 16 years of age. Most children killed in road accidents are
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .