After considerable representation from the BUS Action Group and numerous letters from the community asking for improved school bus safety through the compulsory fitting of seatbelts, Federal Parliament will be debating the issue.

Gilmore MP Joanna Gash has seconded the motion of her colleague, the Member for Forde in calling for state and territory governments around the nation to move urgently to require all new and replacement school buses be fitted with seatbelts.

“It’s the first step to get this crucial issue debated in Federal Parliament” she said. ``So we can all work towards a lasting solution.”

“This is something I feel very strongly about and I am pleased to be able to support the local BUS Action Group lead by local mums.’’

Mrs Gash said her granddaughters also travel by bus to school and all the arguments about cost and related risks are really irrelevant.

“If we don’t take action now, I think it’s inevitable that further tragedies will occur,’’ she said.

“I was hopeful of seeing the State Labor Member bring it forward to the NSW State Government after the death of a local school student, but to-date, nothing has occurred and I for one am not prepared to wait any longer.”

Mrs Gash said every parent took care to make sure that their children are buckled up when they travel in the family car and it is against the law for them not to do so.

However, she said the community allowed them to travel unrestrained on school buses that are often overcrowded through no fault of the bus company, but the lack of NSW State government funds to bring another bus on line.

The motion as presented to Federal Parliament by Mrs Gash and Mrs Elson reads as follows:

Move that this House:

1) acknowledges that the safety of our children should be of paramount concern for all governments;

2) recognises current safety standards imposed on coaches and long-distance buses include the mandatory requirement that these vehicles be fitted with seat belts;

3) points out the growing evidence from studies conducted both in Australia and overseas, that the use of seat belts on these vehicles undoubtably saves lives in the case of accidents;

4) acknowledges that currently hundreds of thousands of Australian school children travel daily to school on buses that are not fitted with seat belts;