Waldron welcomes review of school bus air conditioning rules

Author: Terry Waldron
Published on: 04-April-2008

 Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Wagin Terry Waldron has welcomed the decision by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan to review the current rules applying to air conditioning WA school buses.

“I had the opportunity in State Parliament to again raise several issues concerning these outdated rules and strongly put forward to the Minister the need to have air conditioning in school buses right across the State,” Mr Waldron said.

“It is ridiculous in the 21st century, when most cars are air conditioned, to have children in parts of the State denied air conditioning in their school bus.”

Mr Waldron stressed the current rules were discriminatory and he had received many complaints from parents over the past few years.

“Wherever you live in WA there are times when you experience extremely hot conditions,” he said. “When you have children travelling long distances, many of them on dusty gravel roads, and more recently at a warmer time of the day during daylight saving, it is imperative they have air conditioning."

“We have the ridiculous situation where some buses have windows that cannot be opened yet you are not, under the current rules, meant to have an air conditioner operating.”

Mr Waldron said that while there would be an extra cost to Government, including allowances paid to contractors, it would not be immense. He said the cost to children and drivers would be higher if changes were not made.

“I welcome the review and strongly urge that we get rid of those outdated rules and properly look after our young children travelling on school buses,” he said.

Mr Waldron said the Minister indicated the review would take place over the next six months.