Page 44 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020

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alternative is the opposition’s plan to cut 20 bus services and to privatise the public transport network. Which would you prefer?

Opposition members interjecting—

Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Madam Speaker; standing order 118A—

MADAM SPEAKER: There are two things I am going to do. I think the question is relevant but I also caution ministers on referencing opposition policies. The question was about your policies, not opposition policies. Also I will be asking Mrs Jones to withdraw her interjections. You called across the chamber, “Lies, lies and lies,” which implies that the minister is lying. I ask you to withdraw.

Mrs Jones: I withdraw.

Transport Canberra–network 19

MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Transport. I refer to an article from the Canberra Times titled “Bus changes leave students in the lurch”. Minister, why did it take 10 months of children being left stranded at interchanges or having to be driven to school because public buses were at capacity for you to introduce changes to the school buses under network 19?

MR STEEL: I wish the opposition would stop dog whistling on student safety. What we have seen with the new network is that students have adapted very well. They have done so with the support of customer service officers who have been available at the interchanges, supporting them to get them and other public transport customers to where they need to go.

Opposition members interjecting

MADAM SPEAKER: Members! Can you resume your seat, please.

Opposition members interjecting

MADAM SPEAKER: Members on my left, I have asked you to be quiet. The minister may still want to conclude his answer, should he wish.

MR STEEL: We have seen students adapt very well to the public transport network. We will continue to work with school communities. We have a school liaison committee—

Mr Hanson interjecting

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, I have called members to silence.

MR STEEL: that Transport Canberra convenes, where we work with schools, school communities and their representatives to work through any issues. The public transport network is changing all the time. That is as a result of the city growing. It is


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