Federated Farmers: Farming sector failing to tackle quad bike safety
Federated Farmers says the farming sector has been unable to effectively address quad bike safety.
Australian farmers are urging the Federal Government to enforce the fitting of operator protection devices (OPDs) to all new quads within two years.
“We are at a loss to understand why the Government won’t introduce this simple change to save lives,” says National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson.
NFF says seven people, including children, have died this year in quad crashes. Yet the Government is stalling on enforcing the fitting of OPDs to all new quads within two years.
The fitting of OPDs was recommended to the Government in February by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The NFF says the change can be made by the Assistant Treasurer signing a ‘declaration’ without the need to introduce new legislation. But the Government has not yet done this.
“Since 2001 at least 230 Australians have died in quad related incidents,” said Simson. Half of these deaths were a result of a quad rollover and crushing or asphyxiation, which OPDs prevent.
“Either the Government doesn’t think the many lives lost warrant taking action or there are other factors at play.”
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The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
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Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
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