Media Release
BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow
Infrastructure Minister
Thursday May 12, 2005
Labor’s lack of action on school bus fleet a national disgrace
The treatment of
Tasmanian school bus operators and the State’s ancient school bus fleet
is a national disgrace and next week’s Budget must finally address this
situation, Shadow Treasurer Brett Whiteley said today.
Mr Whiteley said he completely backed the calls of the Tasmanian Bus
Association for the Lennon Labor Government to provide measures in next
week’s State Budget to increase contracts for school bus drivers, and
assist in replacing the bus fleet, which has an average age of 25 years.
“The average age of
Tasmania’s school bus fleet is by far
the highest in the nation, and I think most Tasmanian parents would be
horrified that years of negotiations between the Tasmanian Bus
Association and the Lennon Labor Government to resolve this have so far
amounted to nothing.
“In Paul Lennon’s new Tasmania, our children travel to school on buses
that are bluntly, way too old, and it is only thanks to the efforts of
bus operators that safety and accreditation standards are being met.
“I have been closely involved in discussions with the TBA about their
concerns, and I completely understand their frustrations at trying to
get the State Labor Government to act to address this problem.
“Bus operators have, quite rightly, had enough. Without urgent
assistance from the Lennon Labor Government, Tasmania risks seeing a
steady stream of school bus operators leaving the industry, and there
will be no incentive for anyone else to take over where they leave off.
“For five years now they have been hoping for action from the State
Labor Government, but Labor has been all talk and no action.
“The time for talk has finished. Next week’s Budget, tipped to be the
biggest spending in Tasmania’s history, and closely followed by a State
election, must deliver real funding commitments in terms of fair payment
for school bus drivers and to replace the ageing fleet.”
For more information, please contact:
Georgia Warner (03)
6233 2370 or 0418 564 073
Ends/ref…may1203gw
Media Adviser
Office of the Leader of the State Opposition
Hon Rene Hidding MHA
Parliament House
Hobart Tas 7000
Telephone: (03) 6233 2370
Facsimile: (03) 6233 2779
Mobile: 0418 564 073
Website:
www.taslib.net