MR SMYTH (continuing):

The Commission's inquiry and report help to ensure that the Government is accountable and the processes it uses to support and regulate ACTION services are transparent. This accountability comes, in part, from the very nature of the Commission's inquiry process with its important element of broad community consultation into ACTION's services and its subsequent analysis of information.

The Commission's consultation and review period of several months ensured that a large cross section of the community could express their views about ACTION's services. The Commission's process involved several steps over the period of the investigation. The Commission released an Issues Paper in December 2000 inviting submissions. A draft price direction was released in February 2001 and further submissions were sought. A public hearing was conducted on 2 April 2001 with the Final Price Direction released on 18 May 2001.

Mr Speaker, the Commission's directions and recommendations provide the Government with an assessment of ACTION's current strategies and performance. The Commission's recommendations are being examined and will be taken into consideration when formulating new fares.

The new fare structure will be submitted to the Commission for approval prior to the Government releasing the revised fares. The new fare structure for adult and concession fares will commence on 1 July 2001 and the new flat fare structure for students will commence on 23 July 2001.

ACTION will be reviewing all services in light of increased patronage arising from the introduction of the School Student Transport Scheme. The enhanced network will commence operation in early 2002.

The Government welcomes the Commissioner's Price Direction and looks forward to future determinations and associated recommendations concerning the costs and funding of ACTION's services.

I commend the Commission's 2001-03 Price Direction for ACTION bus fares to the Assembly.

Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission-Review of Natural Gas Prices-Final determination, dated May 2001.