The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association has welcomed proposed national changes to quad bike safety but says more needs to be done at a state level.
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recently released a new mandatory safety standard which included a requirement for manufacturers to integrate either a crush or rollover protection device in the design of quad bikes.
The standard also recommended the introduction of a safety rating system and mandatory minimum performance standards.
A coronial report released last year following seven quad bike deaths in Tasmania between 2012 and 2015 recommended Parliament pass laws to make the use of helmets on quad bikes compulsory as well as training.
This is yet to occur.
Like the ACCC, the coroner’s report recommended the introduction of a star-rating safety system but not compulsory rollover protections.
TFGA president Wayne Johnston said compulsory helmet use and compulsory rollover fittings were needed in Tasmania.
He said despite pre-election lobbying and ongoing discussions with Work Safe Tasmania, the Liberal Government had not committed to a new safety policy for quad bikes.
Although pleased with the ACCC’s recommendation on rollover protection devices, Mr Johnston said all quad bikes needed to be retrofitted with the devices with costs subsidised by the government.
The Victorian Government in 2016 introduced a two-year $6 million rebate scheme for rollover protections on quad bikes with individual subsidies of up to $1200 available.
About 160,000 quad bikes are sold each year in Australia.
