Page 1708 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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Equally, for all these workers, regardless of where they come from, this decision will improve social inclusion and our response to problems like poverty, deprivation and disadvantage. The government will continue to take steps to improve the treatment of vulnerable workers in our community through a range of measures, and I look forward to supporting Ms Stephen-Smith as she continues to deliver in this area through a range of other initiatives.
ACTION bus service—new network
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to Minister for Transport. Minister, amongst the stories received about the new bus network was one from Simone. Simone contacted us on behalf of her elderly neighbour in Harrison, an area that was previously well serviced. This senior resident used to be able to walk two minutes to catch a bus to the town centre to shop, visit the bank and go to the post office, retaining her independence. Under your new network her shortest walk is now 11 minutes up an incline. How should Simone’s neighbour get to the post office under your network?
MS FITZHARRIS: Not knowing where in Harrison Simone’s neighbour lives, it is pretty difficult to answer that question.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister how does treating our elderly and vulnerable who rely on the bus network in such a manner align with your vision for an inclusive and better connected Canberra?
MS FITZHARRIS: As I have mentioned previously, this network is designed to operate right across the city and provide as much access as possible to as many Canberrans as possible, and that is what we are delivering.
MS LAWDER: Minister, why are older Canberrans constantly disadvantaged by the decisions of this government?
MS FITZHARRIS: I certainly do not believe that they are.
ACTION bus service—bicycle racks
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Minister, under the new bus network, children are forced to cover longer distances to catch buses, with many opting to ride their bikes to stops and interchanges. However, current bike storage infrastructure on buses themselves is limited to two bikes. Minister, what advice do you give to students when they are turned away from buses without bike capacity and are then made late to school?
MS FITZHARRIS: I would be interested to hear from anyone who has not been able to board a bus because the bike rack has been full. Certainly, the new network is designed to give more people more options. If they are catching a rapid bus, there would be one coming. Because there are now nine rapid bus services and one rapid light rail service, people right across the city, with rapids extending to every corner of
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