Page 3809 - Week 13 - Thursday, 18 October 1990
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buses and in long distance intercity coaches. This is something which, I think, warrants evaluation and, to be honest, this is an idea which will eventually come about, because people are becoming concerned about the tragic losses which are occurring on our highways from accidents which involve buses, major large load carrying vehicles, et cetera. Of course, we have to look at anchorage points for seats generally so that they do not come forward in a crash, do not come off the floor and cause those terrible injuries which occurred, I believe, only recently in an accident on the North Coast. Also, of course, that needs to be applied to buses which are used for school bus services, et cetera, throughout the ACT.
I was interested to see on television that a man in America had an accident in California in which his six-year-old son, who was unrestrained in the vehicle, flew forward, hit his head and was subsequently killed; and that man has now been charged in the United States with manslaughter - not just with failing to have his child restrained, but with the manslaughter of his own son because he failed to take proper and necessary steps to ensure that the child was restrained. I wonder just how far things will go in that regard here in Australia as the years progress.
Nevertheless, this, at least, is one pleasant move, I am sure, that is going to fix an anomaly which exists in our current legislation and one which, I think, has been overdue. The provision of safety capsules and bassinettes with fastening devices is something that has been overdue for some time. It is worth noting that this provision is going to cost the Government some money - some capital outlay - because a number of the vehicles that are used by our people, such as community nursing organisations and community government personnel who currently, for example, take nursing mothers to baby health care centres, et cetera, are now going to have to be fitted, first of all, with restraining devices, if they are not already there and, secondly, with restraining capsules so that the children can be transported safely. This is something which, I think, has not been happening, and it is something which the Government should have looked at and addressed some time ago.
Nevertheless, the Government will comply. The only cars which are exempt, I believe, are C-cars - relating to Comcars. I guess there are particular reasons for that, depending on the nature of the passengers in those vehicles. It may well be that some dignitaries, et cetera, may be carrying young children and for them to be compelled to do that may well have diplomatic implications.
I am pleased with the generous support given by the Assembly to the Bill, and I know that the community at large will also be very pleased to see these measures put into place.
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