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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-09-25 Daily Xml
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Quad Bikes

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. As Minister for Primary Industries, what is your view on the farm safety initiative now seeing state governments in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania providing rebates for the fitting of rollover protection bars to new and old quad bikes, an initiative now supported by the federal government's mandating the fitting of rollover protection bars to all new quad bikes?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:45): As the minister in respect of consumer protection, I can report to the house, and I hope it will assist the member, that at the recent meeting in New Zealand of all ministers responsible for consumer matters, including the jurisdiction in New Zealand, this matter came under discussion.

There was an expectation at that time that the report the member refers to would be published shortly thereafter. There was an expectation, I think, in the meeting that there would be a recommendation in relation to a mandatory roll bar obligation in respect of the production and/or sale in Australia of those vehicles. I think all members would be aware of the significant risks to the safety and, indeed, lives of some who occupy and utilise these vehicles—small quad bikes, as they are frequently referred to. It has attracted attention nationally and at this meeting.

Obviously, there was no resolution at that stage of seeing any detail of the report, but that will be under the review of each of the jurisdictions. We will take back to the next meeting our views in relation to whether that should operate or whether any other recommendations of that report should be implemented. It will obviously require consultation, not just with industries in relation to agriculture but with anyone who uses the vehicles, particularly given the number of child deaths of people who have either ridden as a pillion passenger or on their own and had a fatal accident.

I would like the member and, indeed, all members of the house to be reassured that this is an area of concern. Obviously, we would urge anyone who owns these vehicles or intends to purchase them to understand that there are already some strict obligations in relation to those who can use them, even on private property. I urge all members to ensure that any constituents who raise these matters comply with those recommendations, and I undertake to come back to the house when further consideration has been made of the national report.

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