Page 1159 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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Mrs Dunne: The original question was: what is the current governance structure? The minister needs to be directly relevant and answer the question.
Mr Gentleman: On the point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Gentleman.
Mr Gentleman: Madam Speaker, if I may, the opposition, during question time over a number of past sittings, has stood to call points of order, only to restate their original question. Under standing order 117, questions are to be brief, and the minister should be allowed the time to answer those questions.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones and Miss Burch, please. The question was around governance structures. Contained in the answer was a reference to an advisory group. I am sure that the minister, in the 40-odd seconds left, can clarify if that is the governance structure.
MS FITZHARRIS: As I indicated in answer to Mr Coe’s question, there is an advisory body. It has not met for some time. It will meet shortly. The workshop that is to be undertaken later this month will determine future governance structures. I have made absolutely clear my expectation, and the government’s expectation, that Aboriginal representation is to be continued on the advisory body.
Light rail—commencement of service
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Minister, how is the government preparing for the commencement of light rail services in Canberra this month?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. Indeed I was very pleased recently to announce that planning is underway for services for light rail from Gungahlin to the city to begin operations at Easter, with the community launch planned for Saturday, 20 April.
Canberra Metro has advised the ACT government that it expects light rail to be operational by this date. However, precise timing is still dependent on Canberra Metro meeting all third-party rail accreditation requirements including from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, the utilities technical regulator and the independent certifier. For light rail to become operational it must satisfy a number of additional certification and regulatory processes including various safety sign-offs. Ultimately our number one priorities are the safety and quality of the system. So we will need to be flexible if there are issues that change the start date, and we are working on any contingency.
Canberra Metro have advised that they expect to be operational by Easter. That is why we are planning for the first day of operations on 20 April. In preparation for the start
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