Page 495 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 8 March 2011

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MR SMYTH: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.

MR SMYTH: Minister, does your government support the changes, such as precommitment and a $250 daily cap, that are being considered by the federal government?

MR BARR: As I have indicated, we continue to work with other states and territories and the commonwealth towards an appropriate policy response to these issues.

MS HUNTER: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.

MS HUNTER: Minister, what research is being undertaken here in the ACT in regard to the issue of problem gambling?

MR BARR: Thank you, Ms Hunter. I understand you would have been present, as I think Mr Smyth was, at the release of the recent ANU gambling prevalence study—I think one of the most detailed and comprehensive pieces of work undertaken in the territory in some time. It highlighted a range of issues of concern and also, I think, provided some important evidence that will underpin the policy discussions and the policy outcomes that will emerge from this national gaming reform debate.

ACTION bus service—cancellations

MS BRESNAN: My question is to the Minister for Transport and is in relation to the cancellation of ACTION services. Minister, it has come to my attention that in recent weeks a number of routes such as Nos 2, 6 and 27 have experienced multiple, repeated cancellations leaving people unable to get to work or unable to get home from school. In one case, route 2 had four missed buses in a row. Minister, why have these cancellations occurred and what is the government doing to ensure that the problem is addressed?

MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Bresnan for the question. Indeed, it is the case that there have been a number of failures of service delivery on some routes in recent weeks. Before responding specifically to that, though, I think it is relevant in relation to any discussion around service failure to note that it is regrettable always, it does not enhance ACTION’s reputation at all and it is a matter of enormous frustration, I know, to the travelling public.

ACTION’s service delivery rate, I think over the last six months, has been 98.32 per cent of all services. In any discussion around routes and route service and reliability, it is important to reflect on the sheer number of services that ACTION runs each day. In terms of all services that ACTION delivered over the period since November to February, as I said the service delivery rate was 98.32 per cent. Indeed, the service rate in relation to school services was 99.5 per cent.


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