Page 4231 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2019

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The federal Liberal government has a lot to learn from the ACT about delivering transport infrastructure when the community needs it, where the community needs it and how the community needs it. I would say that the Liberal opposition could learn a bit, too, but they do not want to. I am very happy for them to spend another 19 years in the cheap seats.

Let us celebrate the ACT infrastructure plan. It will keep delivering for our fast-growing city. I am sure that in about 20 years time the Canberra Liberals will be saying it is fantastic as well. It will be far enough in the rear-view mirror by then.

MISS C BURCH (Kurrajong) (3.16): I move the amendment circulated in my name:

Omit paragraphs (2) to (4), substitute:

“(2) further notes that:

(a) despite the ACT Climate Strategy’s directive to encourage a range of transport options, the Minister has drastically reduced weekend bus services, limiting the range of public transport options available to Canberrans;

(b) providing reliable and accessible bus services on weekends, and dedicated school services for children are an integral component of any public transport network;

(c) an accessible and expansive public transport network will reduce the reliance on cars to commute around Canberra and lower Canberra’s carbon emissions;

(d) Canberrans’ livelihoods are dependent on good access to various transport modes, depending on their commitments and circumstances, something which Network19 does not provide;

(e) as a result, fewer Canberrans are using public transport in Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong, as per patronage data released in late August;

(f) under this ACT Government, overall customer satisfaction in the public transport network has plummeted to just 62 percent in 2018-19; and

(g) data from the ACT Government response to the Impact of Network19 on School Students depicted student patronage on public transport on school days remained broadly level;

(3) further notes that:

(a) Ms Cody and other Labor Members continue to sanctimoniously refuse to acknowledge the ongoing chaos with regard to Canberra’s bus network;

(b) Minister Gentleman has publicly misled Canberrans by claiming that Canberra has a ‘world-class public transport system’; and

(c) despite over 100 adjustments being made to Network19, the ACT Government is yet to deliver the bus network promised to Canberrans; and

(4) calls on the Government to fix the problems plaguing Network19 as a matter of priority.”.


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