Media Release
Bashed bus drivers on the Gold Coast could have been spared their pain if the Newman Government had not dropped a Labor plan to install panic alarms says Shadow Transport Minister Jackie Trad.
“After a frightening spate of attacks on Gold Coast bus drivers, the previous Labor Government had offered to put duress alarms on all buses operated by Surfside in 2012,” said Ms Trad.
“Labor recognised the duty to protect bus drivers and passengers and had responded to growing community concern.
“But incoming Transport Minister Scott Emerson dropped the scheme and has sat on his hands for two years.
“He has done nothing to prevent these shocking outbursts of violence even though attacks have continued.
“In recent weeks we have again seen violence on Gold Coast buses put drivers and passengers in hospital and still the Transport Minister fails to meet his obligations to ensure the safety of employees and those who travel on public transport.
“Mr Emerson has no excuses. The problem is well documented and is not going away.
“The images we saw recently of a driver pulled from his cab, lying helpless on the ground as a passenger repeatedly punched him in the head, must surely shock the Minister from his complacency.
“If Mr Emerson had not been so arrogantly dismissive of a Labor plan, that attack, and many like it since he became Minister, might well have been prevented.
“Surely it is now time for him to swallow his pride and install panic alarms on Gold Coast buses without further delay.”
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