Page 1036 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015
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MR BARR: Yes. The government is looking to have a very public process in relation to this. We are taking submissions. We have published the terms of reference of the review. This issue has been debated on more than one occasion in this place, in this parliamentary term, in relation to increases in funding for the concessions program. But let me be clear that we want to ensure that the concessions the community provides through the ACT government go to those who need it most. This is not an exercise in funnelling money to people who do not need it.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, why is the government building light rail to service three per cent of Canberra’s population but cutting concessions for the needy?
MR BARR: The government seeks to improve public transport provision, which is of great assistance to those who cannot afford private vehicles or one of Mr Coe’s Audis. That is an important investment in social equity in this city, to have a better public transport system that allows people—
Mr Hanson: Will it help them out in Tuggeranong and Belconnen?
Mr Coe: Keep talking about the Audis.
Mr Hanson: And Weston?
Mr Coe: You are doing our job for us.
MR BARR: to access better public transport. To respond to those interjections, although I should not, Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: No, you should not.
MR BARR: better public transport provision across Canberra is the government’s agenda. That will mean improvements in walking and cycling infrastructure and a better bus system that involves enhancement of services across the ACT. The capacity that is freed up in the light rail corridor can be redistributed around the city. We seek to improve our public transport system through demand-responsive transport initiatives and, through the roads and parking minister, we seek to continue to enhance our overall transport network.
Those people who continue to commute by car from the southern suburbs will not have to compete with 50,000 extra Gungahlin residents when they come turning into Parkes Way or for the car parking spots in the city if we have an efficient public transport system that delivers a better outcome for all Canberrans.
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Smyth!
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