MEDIA RELEASE: Nanny state inquiry should not become ‘bike helmet’ inquiry

 

It is disappointing to see bicycle helmets become the main aspect of the ‘nanny state’ inquiry, when there are other much more crucial issues, says Centre for Independent Studies researcher Helen Andrews.

“If this turns into the ‘bicycle helmet’ inquiry, instead of the ‘nanny state’ inquiry, it will be an opportunity lost,” Ms Andrews says.

“Helmet laws save lives and injuries and are not the biggest ‘nanny state’ issue around. Not by a long shot,” she says.

“The ‘alcopops’ tax — which was passed to fight a binge drinking ‘crisis’ that never existed by overtaxing drinks that are not disproportionately favoured by binge drinkers — raises over a billion dollars per year.

“Compared to that, the annual revenue from helmet fines is chump change.

“The misguided and misleading Health Star Rating system is going to affect every supermarket in the country. Meanwhile, Victoria fines fewer than 9,000 cyclists per year.

“Senator Leyonhjelm says he expected to hear more about the Sydney lock-out laws. The lockout laws are absolutely a bigger infringement on personal liberty than mandatory helmet laws—much bigger.”

Helen Andrews is a Policy Analyst at the Centre for Independent Studies