Page 4389 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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and concern to people if they are not really aware of the impact that the new changes will have. I guess that I am flagging the need to consider a public awareness and education campaign to inform people as to what the changes are likely to mean, to their commuting habits in particular. I think the majority of bus passengers are people who commute to work each day.
I note also, Madam Speaker, that implementation of the system is some nine months behind schedule. I think we have explored the reasons for that in the past, but it is regrettable that it has taken nine months for the new system to be introduced. I certainly hope that from here on there will not be any major difficulties. We will also be looking at the introduction of ticketing inspectors to our bus service for the first time. I think that also is an important change that the community will need to get used to. I did stress to the officers from ACTION who briefed me that it is important that ticketing inspectors be appropriately trained to deal with all of the potential situations which may arise. The last thing we need to do is discourage people from using our bus service. I guess that with any new system there is some potential for things to go wrong, particularly in the early stages. While I support the legislation, Madam Speaker, I note that we are talking about profound change to the operation of our bus system. I urge the Minister to note the comments made by Assembly members during this debate and to keep both the community and members informed of the changes as they take place.
MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (4.54), in reply: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of Ms Szuty and the Opposition. I will address the rest of my remarks to the substance of the amendments which I have circulated to the Assembly and will deal with a number of amendments foreshadowed by Mr De Domenico at the time of moving my own amendments.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail Stage
Clauses 1 to 3, by leave, taken together, and agreed to.
Clause 4
MR DE DOMENICO (4.56): I move:
Page 2, lines 30 to 32, paragraph (c), omit the definition of "pensioner concession card".
People holding pensioner concession cards can apply to pay off their fines over time in instalments. That is provided for in proposed sections 12(3)(e)(i) and (ii) and 18. However, this is discriminatory, we believe, against all other concession card holders and especially young people. Without being discriminatory, I point out that an 18-year-old
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