Page 42 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
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debate the issue, and the standing orders actually allow that, if the minister attempts to make a ministerial-type statement, a member of the opposition can—
Members interjecting—
Mrs Dunne: You took it out? Anyhow, my point stands: the minister is not being directly relevant to the question and you, Madam Speaker, need to bring him to order.
MADAM SPEAKER: I believe he is being directly relevant to the question and that ability was removed from the standing orders. You can take your colleague outside if you like and have that discussion.
Ms Berry: Madam Speaker, on a point of order, the behaviour and the name calling from those opposite about Mr Steel are unparliamentary and they should withdraw their comments.
Mrs Jones: On the point of order, there was no name calling. The opposition, including me, said, “Lies, lies, lies,” which is exactly what has been told in this chamber. That is not name calling. That is discussing the behaviour, not the person.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones, please resume your seat. I have ruled that the response to the question was in order and the minister’s time has expired.
MS LEE: Minister, will you bring back the dedicated school bus services that you cut?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for her question. As I said, we are seeing students adapt to using the regular route bus system as well as school services, the over 220 that we are providing. School students were using regular route buses before network 19 came in, and we are seeing them continue to use regular route bus services to get around. Because we have made them more frequent across the city, with the implementation of 10 rapid routes connecting the city, with light rail included, it has made it convenient for many school students to catch the regular route bus system rather than needing to rely on a school bus service that may have shown up only once or twice rather than having a regular, frequent route bus service.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, will you apologise to parents for cutting dedicated school bus services, forcing them and their children back into their cars to get to and from school or to find alternative routes to get their children to school?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for her question. I do not accept the premise of the question. We are seeing students using our public transport system. That is a very good thing, because we want to encourage young people in particular to be using public transport. We have been seeing that through the implementation of 21 per cent more services on our regular route bus services that are available to the whole community, including students. They have been using them, which is fantastic to see. We will continue to grow our public transport network. We will make investments in new buses. We will continue to expand light rail to other parts of our city, which will benefit the whole community, including students.
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