Page 2893 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR WOOD: A quite large number. At the last meeting of the Weston Creek branch that I attended there were about 35 people. There is a concern in the community that all aspects be considered. It is a matter I will raise within the Government and it is one that will be determined by the demands and what style of look at it we will have, and what resources may be needed to do that. It is a quite wide-ranging exercise to undertake. Certainly, Weston Creek is a discrete area and one that is clearly identified. It does not cross over into other areas and would be very suitable for such an investigation. I am aware of all the concerns Mr Moore raises on behalf of the people there, and I will give some thought to that and let him know what is ultimately decided.
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper, Mr Speaker.
School Bus Service
MR CONNOLLY: Yesterday in question time Mrs Nolan asked me about the saga of route 734 and I was unable to provide her with an answer. I can now advise the Assembly of the sorry saga of route 734. There is a general practice, by means of a policy guideline to bus drivers, that students should be not returned to a school unless directed by a supervisor. However, in the case of route 734, which was a route from Marist to points south, I believe, there was extreme misbehaviour from the students on the bus. They were constantly ringing the bell, throwing items around the bus, fighting and pushing and carrying on in the aisles.
The principal duty of a bus driver is not to deliver the children home; it is to make sure that they are safe while on the bus. The driver, as he was just out of the region of the school, in breach of the policy guidelines exercised his discretion to return to the school. I and ACTION management fully support what he did. He did it for safety reasons; he exercised his discretion. At the school, a brother was called onto the bus and he fairly vigorously chastised the students. The bus took off again. The bad behaviour continued and the bus driver again returned to the school.
The bus drivers of ACTION have an important community role in providing transport to students from home to school and back again, but their principal concern is safety. Bad behaviour by students on buses is an obvious safety risk. While the general practice is that supervisors will be called, in any safety issue - as I am sure all members agree - guidelines are fine, but at the end of the day a person has to exercise discretion in the interests of safety. The bus driver on route 734 did that. I and ACTION management support him. The Liberal Party may be enthusiastic about moving on unruly youths, but they will not be moved on on ACTION bus services.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .