Page 2581 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
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Just two months out from the election, they still do not have a real plan for delivering transport in the ACT. We are yet to see what their actual policy will be to fix congestion issues on Northbourne Avenue. There are only options to deal with half of Northbourne Avenue—half of Northbourne Avenue—with buses that will not stop on Northbourne Avenue, with a plan that is highly unlikely to be approved by the NCA and that keeps buses on the whole route, further clogging up our already most congested road. They propose nothing for the other half of Northbourne Avenue and nothing for Flemington Road.
It has been eight months since the opposition canvassed three possible options. They have still not made a decision. They miss the entire point of a rapid public transport system. They have no solution to congestion on Northbourne Avenue. At best, they want to build a one-way road halfway up Northbourne Avenue—a road where the buses will not be able to stop—and they want to keep buses on Northbourne Avenue. They are cobbling together an alternative public transport solution—a half-baked solution to half of Northbourne Avenue, no solution to Flemington Road, a rapid bus network based on Labor’s public transport policy, and a city hopper that will devastate a small business and will take about an hour, the hopeless hopper. Contrast this with the ACT government’s integrated public transport network.
Canberra’s population is growing. This city will be home to nearly 400,000 people by the end of this year. Congestion drains our community and our economy. It costs us all. This government wants Canberra to remain the world’s most livable city. New roads, better and wider footpaths, an easy to access cycling network, an integrated freight network and better public transport are all part of our plan to keep Canberra moving.
Light rail is a part of this plan. It is about a city-defining, integrated network that will allow our city to grow sustainably. It is about tackling congestion and boosting economic activity. Just like on the Gold Coast, in Adelaide, in Sydney, in Newcastle or in Dubai, cities around Australia and the world see the importance of extending light rail. Perth still has light rail on the table despite the Canberra Liberals recently jumping up and down saying that Perth was abandoning this form of transport. The WA government say light rail is still an option on a number of key routes. Their plan focuses on connecting places where the highest number of people live and work so that public transport is the preferred choice for peak period travel. I think that sounds pretty familiar, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker, we can afford light rail and an integrated public transport network. We can afford high quality education and health care now. Canberra deserves high quality infrastructure, an integrated transport network. We can have all this, but only under the Labor government. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Fitzharris, were you proposing to move an amendment?
MS FITZHARRIS: I seek leave to move the amendment circulated in my name.
Leave granted.
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