Page 1671 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Extending bus services would allow better coordination between interstate transport options and ACTION bus services. It would also have the effect of encouraging people to use public transport to get to and from the Jolimont Centre and the Kingston station. Travellers would no longer need to worry about relying on family and friends or on-demand transport to get home at odd hours, providing accessible and flexible means of getting in and out of Canberra. If the government is serious about encouraging more Canberrans to use public transport we need extended bus services in the evenings, on Sundays and public holidays. If the government is serious about supporting our local businesses we need extended bus services to support both employees and customers in Canberra’s night-time hubs such as Kingston, Braddon and Civic.
Canberra’s public transport network needs to ensure that low income Canberrans, students, the elderly and those who are mobility impaired are not disadvantaged by the lack of accessible and flexible transport options. Canberra needs to keep up with other cities if we are going to be a competitive tourist destination. Extending bus services will help Canberra thrive and grow into the cosmopolitan city that we all want it to be.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.24 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory—casual vacancy
MR COE: My question is to the Chief Minister. On 25 March 2015 in this place you proposed a motion that the Assembly choose Ms Katy Gallagher to fill a casual vacancy in the Australian Senate. In that motion you stated that Ms Gallagher was “a person who is eligible to be a senator”. Today the High Court ruled that Ms Gallagher, in taking her position as a senator following her election at the 2016 federal election, was ineligible to do so under the Australian Constitution. It follows that she also was not eligible to fill the casual vacancy in 2015. Chief Minister, what process did you follow to ensure the statement you made in your motion was accurate and, given the High Court ruling, will you now correct the record?
MR BARR: I relied upon past practice in relation to such vacancies; and, in light of the High Court’s determination today, I will take advice on the second matter.
MR COE: Chief Minister, when and how were you first alerted to the fact that the statutory declaration that you tabled may be wrong?
MR BARR: That matter is not one that I have information available on at this time. I will take it on notice.
MRS DUNNE: Chief Minister, have you received any legal advice on this issue?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video