The Andrews Labor Government is taking strong action to tackle the numbers of deaths and serious injuries on Victorian farms caused by quad bikes.
Addressing the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) conference, Premier Daniel Andrews today announced a $6 million subsidy scheme for farmers to make their quad bikes safer.
The scheme provides rebates to farmers to either fit rollover protection devices on existing quad bikes or help them purchase an alternative safer vehicle.
Last year, 22 people tragically lost their lives in quad bike incidents in Australia. In Victoria, two farmers have lost their lives on farms in the past three months after being crushed when their quad bikes overturned.
The rebate supports a recent decision by WorkSafe to include appropriately fitted rollover protection devices on quad bikes to its list of approved safety measures to help drive down workplace fatalities and injuries.
WorkSafe will also be shortly releasing a major public awareness campaign in regional Victoria on the risks associated with using quad bikes on farms.
Eligible farmers will be offered up to $600 each for up to two quad bikes to fit rollover protection (known as an operator protection device or OPD), or $1200 towards the cost of buying a more appropriate work vehicle.
It is estimated that more than 5000 farmers will receive the rebate over the two-year life of the scheme, which will be managed by WorkSafe Victoria and the VFF.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Too many Victorians have died or have been seriously injured using quad bikes and that’s why the Labor Government is taking action to protect our farmers.”
“This is about saving lives and we encourage every eligible farmer to make use of this rebate and stay safe.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Robin Scott
“Agriculture makes up just three per cent of the Victorian workforce but suffers almost 30 per cent of workplace fatalities. We must do everything we can to reduce this terrible toll.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"The health and safety of our farmers and their families must always come first. That's why we're taking action to support our agricultural communities."
Reviewed 19 August 2020