House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-08-25 Daily Xml

Contents

Quad Bikes

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:22): My question is to the Attorney-General. How many quad bike injuries and/or deaths have occurred in South Australia in each of the past three years; and when will all state governments take uniform action to protect quad-bike riders, particularly as it's often children who are injured while riding adult-size all-terrain vehicles?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:22): This is certainly a very important question, and I am happy to get the particular data that you sought for the last three years. I think there would be, certainly for people who represent rural interests here, a keen interest in relation to this issue because sadly these vehicles are often used in regional areas. Although they are not to be used by children under 12 in relation to operating these, sometimes they do or they are riding as a passenger on them, and we have seen some shocking deaths.

There has been some movement nationally to consider the question. There have been reviews on what we should do, etc. As best as I can recall, in relation to the last CBS meeting we had, the last I recall there had been a review, there had been a time frame allowed for the introduction of the regulation on this issue, including whether they be manufactured with roll bars, and such other safety methods that were to be introduced. That's the last on it, but I am happy to get some further briefing on it and find out what has happened.

I have owned one of these things myself, and I have got rid of it. I don't want there to be a situation on any property where children can have access to these things—it's bad enough on ride-on lawn mowers. In relation to these vehicles, they easily tip over, they are obviously dangerous for any operator or passenger on them. They have strict displays on the use of them but, unquestionably, they have taken lives and they have caused much tragedy. So I am happy to get the individual data on that and an update.