Northern Victoria Region
Ms LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:18): (1628) My question is for the Minister for Public Transport. The minister would be aware of the many problems associated with the opening of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College at the commencement of the 2022 school year. The violence experienced over the last couple of years at the three separate campuses of the new school continues at this new location. I have recently been contacted by a constituent advising me of an even more dangerous situation relating to students using the school bus service. The constituent resides in Katandra West and his son travels a 25-kilometre trip twice a day on a school bus carrying over 70 students, despite the bus being licensed to carry just 54 passengers. My constituent contends that such overcrowding not only is very dangerous if an accident occurred but also promotes the possible spread of COVID-19 through the inability to social distance. Will the minister order an increase in bus services for the Greater Shepparton school bus program to improve safety for Greater Shepparton students?