Page 2767 - Week 08 - Thursday, 11 August 2016

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confirm that earlier this week the free city loop bus collected its 8,000th passenger. That is 8,000 passengers, 8,000 reasons not to support the alternative policy, which is to axe the free city loop and replace it with the so-called city hopper.

I think those opposite think that the city hopper is superior, but how can it be when it takes longer, costs more, is less frequent and they predict fewer people will use it than have currently used the free city loop? It would be a hopeless hopper. It would take more than an hour to crawl around the city and, worse, passengers would have to pay for it. In addition, it would put the red explorer out of business.

Rather than invest in public transport, those opposite want to cut it. They want to scrap light rail and now they want to scrap a free bus service that has just picked up its 8,000th passenger.

As Ms Burch asked about, I am aware of alternative policy options that are available and certainly those opposite have put forward alternative policy options, although they are a little hard to describe, as the elements within them keep changing. Over the past decade, Madam Speaker, as you would be aware, the Canberra Liberals have achieved something unique in transport policy. Simultaneously they have opposed buses and light rail and then gone on to support light rail and oppose buses. Now they support buses and oppose light rail. The people of Canberra should not be surprised by this. (Time expired.)

Clubs—lease variation charge

MRS JONES: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, yesterday in the Assembly you said:

So if you live next-door to a club in this city, you should expect that there will be dramatic change in what is allowed to be developed on that club site if those opposite are elected.

Minister, why did the Weston Creek Labor Club seek a variation to their lease if not to change what is allowed to be developed on that site?

MR BARR: The point of difference being that under the current planning regime in operation under this government there is a process associated with that; under the recommendations that were endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition, carte blanche!

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.

MRS JONES: Minister, how much was paid by the Labor Club to vary leases in Weston Creek, Braddon and Belconnen? If you do not know, will you take it on notice? Also, what was the value of any waivers?

MR BARR: I do not have that information in front of me. I will take that it on notice.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.


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