Page 4423 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 22 November 2005
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MR CORBELL: He should go and make that argument to the residents of west Belconnen when he says, “Oh, well, I don’t really care how long it takes you to get to Civic on the bus. I don’t care.” That is Mr Seselja’s position.
Mr Seselja: How much will the busway save?
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Seselja!
MR CORBELL: The issue is: are we serious about improving public transport in Canberra or aren’t we? This government has a clear commitment record when it comes to improving public transport in Canberra. In contrast, the Liberal Party has been in opposition for nearly five years. Its sum contribution when it comes to public transport is Mrs Dunne going to a nice little conference in Spain and enjoying the TGV from Spain to France, but that is about it when it comes to public transport policy in Canberra—no records, no commitment and definitely no policies when it comes to public transport in Canberra.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: This government’s record speaks for itself: increased adult patronage; reducing the fares; new bus fleet; real-time information on its way; SMS text systems for the buses and a range of other initiatives in place, operating, working; a sustainable transport plan with targets to constrain the growth in private motor vehicles and to increase public transport usage. And what do we have from the Liberal Party? A big fat zero when it comes to public transport policy.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR CORBELL: I know they do not like it; I know they do not like being criticised on this issue. But when are they going to get serious about reducing greenhouse gases in this city? When are they going to get serious about addressing the sustainability issues our city faces? When are they going to acknowledge that in our city, when it comes to contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming, the second largest factor is the use of the private motor vehicle? What are they going to do to address those challenges? They have had five years to put together a response—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Smyth!
Mrs Dunne: For you to push down bus patronage; bus patronage is down.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Dunne!
MR CORBELL: and they have failed absolutely and completely to address these issues.
Mr Stefaniak interjecting—
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