Page 2089 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018

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MS FITZHARRIS: Miss Burch is incorrect; there were not plans for additional stops in Mitchell. That is not correct. There was significant community consultation which proposed a number of stops along the route—around 24, from memory, possible stops along the route. As with anything, a range of options go out for community, stakeholder and industry consultation.

The stage 1 light rail route could not accommodate, and was never going to accommodate, 26 stops along the route. There was considerable discussion and debate at the time, and the combination of patronage, travel time, distance between stops, and where current and future development was to take place were all considered. There were a number of stops—

Mr Coe: A point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat.

Mr Coe: It is on relevance. The question was: why will it now cost $150,000 to design a single light rail stop at Mitchell? She has yet to address that.

MADAM SPEAKER: I think she is talking about the planning process for light rail. I do not believe there is a point of order, but you have 40 seconds left, minister.

MS FITZHARRIS: The simple answer is that that is what it will cost.

MISS C BURCH: Minister, given that light rail construction is being done in the area now, why are you delaying construction of a stop at Mitchell for more than a further 12 months?

MS FITZHARRIS: The irony, the unbelievable irony, of the opposition, who blanketed this city with anti-light rail propaganda for years—for years. It is laughable. It is laughable for the opposition to think that anyone had for a moment contemplated that it wanted to support—

Opposition members interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Members!

Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, a point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: Stop the clock, please.

Mr Hanson: There is a great deal of interjection. I cannot hear the answer.

MADAM SPEAKER: I will call the minister. You have a minute-plus left. Please continue.

MS FITZHARRIS: Despite their relentless negativity and questioning of this project, they fail to appreciate what has been extensively discussed in this place in public and


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