Long overdue: seatbelts for school buses

Sophie Mirabella, Federal Member for Indi, today welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister that the Howard Government will spend $40 million over four years to fit seat belts to school buses in rural and regional areas across Australia.

“The Howard Government is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our children – particularly when it comes to travelling to and from school,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This new initiative will fit at least 1,500 rural and regional school buses across Australia over the next four years.”

Subsidies for rural and regional private bus route operators of up to $25,000 per new or retrofitted bus and will be paid directly to them on an application basis.

“Ensuring that seat belts are fitted to school buses is firmly a state and territory responsibility however the Victorian State Government has failed to deliver.

“Safety for children on school buses is paramount and I strongly welcome this initiative”, Mrs Mirabella said.

The Howard Government still expects the Victorian State Government to take measures to fit their own school bus fleets with seat belts.

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