Page 1272 - Week 04 - Thursday, 5 May 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
particularly on rapid services, as well as on route services. It is at a slightly lower level than what was in place prior to the pandemic, but we are looking forward to stepping that up when we can, once we have the certainty that we have the driver workforce to be able to deliver those reliable services for people to use. I certainly have not been out there spruiking, and welcoming people back at this point. We have taken a very cautious approach, based on the health advice. But the service is there for people who want to use it, and it is frequent and reliable.
Telecommunications—reception black spots
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, in 2020 I informed you of the poor mobile reception in west Macgregor and parts of Dunlop. I also asked you what could be done by the ACT government to improve the situation. In your response you said that the ACT government had facilitated talks between Icon Water and Telstra, which resulted in the installation of a mobile reception tower near the Molonglo water treatment plan. You also said that ACT government representatives would discuss the issue with the mobile carriers. Chief Minister, what was the result of the ACT government’s discussion with the mobile carriers about this issue?
MR BARR: I obviously did not undertake that discussion myself. I will seek advice from officials and provide some information for Mrs Kikkert.
MRS KIKKERT: Chief Minister, why are there still areas at west Macgregor that periodically have no bars of reception more than 10 years after blocks were sold to residents?
MR BARR: I do not necessarily feel I need to give Mrs Kikkert a lesson in constitutional responsibilities around telecommunications. Mrs Kikkert, that is a federal government responsibility. Your party has been in power for the last decade and has failed to address this specific issue. Communications are a federal government responsibility. If you have not worked that out yet, Mrs Kikkert, and you have been in this place for this long, that is a problem. You might be aware, Mrs Kikkert, that there is not a minister for communications at a state and territory level in any parliament because it is a federal responsibility.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members!
Mrs Kikkert interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Kikkert, your colleague is on the floor trying to get a sup in.
MR CAIN: Minister, what is stopping the ACT government from lobbying for such a sensible change?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video