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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 9 Hansard (7 September) . . Page.. 2993 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

subsidised by the taxpayer? Whose budget is the subsidy coming out of-ACTION's, the government's or the money allocated for the Olympics?

MR SMYTH: These are the green Olympics. It is one of the reasons that Sydney and, through Sydney, Australia were awarded the Olympics some seven years ago. All cities classified as Olympic cities have endeavoured, as we have, to make sure that environmental considerations are at the forefront. The government played its part in making sure we got the Olympics here and that we will have Olympic soccer. As part of that it had to make sure it had in place an adequate transport plan. Sydney has the Olympic RTA to make sure that this happens. Part of our commitment is to make sure that transport for the Olympic soccer runs smoothly, as it does for Raiders games and Brumbies games and to make sure that ACTION provides services. This is part of our commitment. We think it is worth while.

If my memory serves me correctly, there are about 3,000 spaces at Bruce Stadium. That number will not be adequate for Olympic events. It is therefore appropriate that we provide other ways of making sure that people can get there. The best way, of course, is to take an ACTION bus.

Mr Osborne asked about the special fares for the Olympics. ACTION has to run a commercial bus service. We always aim to make fares as cheap as we possibly can, but any revenue forgone in the day-to-day operation of ACTION is made up through the Assembly and the appropriation bill. Last year we had to put some extra money in to make up the shortfall.

We think it is worth while to support the Olympics through this program. That is why there are six park and ride stations. That is why there is the cheap fare-so that people can get out there and enjoy the Olympics.

MR OSBORNE: You did not like that question, did you, Minister? I ask a supplementary question. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the answer was that the money is coming out of ACTION. How much money has been budgeted for this discount? What other significant changes to ACTION bus routes and fares have been made for the Olympics? Is it true that some of our buses are contracted for use in Sydney for the Olympics?

MR SMYTH: We have a commitment to the Olympics, not just here in Canberra but in Sydney as well, and we want to play our part. I am told that something like an additional 4,500 buses are going to Sydney to help with the transportation of the tens of thousands of international and national visitors who will be there. Our contribution is about 60 buses. Fifty of those will be standard buses; 10 will be special needs transport. Because it is school holidays, that is the number of buses we can spare. Every spare bus we do not need we will send to Sydney.

When the Paralympics are on, no ACTION buses will go to Sydney, because we need them all here to make sure that there is no disruption to the normal services we provide. That is our commitment to the people of Canberra, and we will ensure that adequate public transport is available.

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