❓ Mr Murray questions the Minister for Transport about negotiations to continue the AvonLink rail service and the potential use of royalties for regions funding. The Minister confirms the service will be retained for six months while funding solutions are explored.
AnsweredQoN 893Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AVONLINK SERVICE — DISCONTINUANCE
893. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the petitions presented to the house by the
members for Central Wheatbelt and Moore strongly advocating for the continuation of the AvonLink rail service and to the Nationals' newsletter that proclaims that
negotiations are underway to continue this service.
(1) What negotiations are underway for the continuation of
the AvonLink rail service?
(2) Has the use of royalties for regions funding been
proposed to subsidise this service?
893. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the petitions presented to the house by the
members for Central Wheatbelt and Moore strongly advocating for the continuation of the AvonLink rail service and to the Nationals' newsletter that proclaims that
negotiations are underway to continue this service.
(1) What negotiations are underway for the continuation of
the AvonLink rail service?
(2) Has the use of royalties for regions funding been
proposed to subsidise this service?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) It is a hard question.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean!
Mr T.R. BUSWELL :
It is a tricky question. Let us go back. The Public Transport Authority was
required to make some operational savings to achieve some broader targets that
the government set. That meant that some services in regional Western Australia
were trimmed or cut. We have previously discussed one in this place—that
is, the bus service that passed through Collie, Boyup Brook and the like. Due
to the good work of the representatives from Boyup Brook, and some input from
the member, some changes were made.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL :
We are still looking at some more changes in that particular area.
Of course, the member for Central Wheatbelt and the member
for Moore tabled petitions in this place, I think, last week. I have had
discussions with them as they have made representations on behalf of their
local communities, as is entirely appropriate. What is the outcome of those
discussions? The outcome of those discussions is that those two members have
been able to deliver a wonderful outcome for their local communities, as good
local members should; that is, that service will be retained. That service will
be retained initially for a period of six months while the PTA and the
Wheatbelt Development Commission work through the funding solution that will be
required to not only retain the existing service to the Avon Valley, but also
perhaps expand it. It would be expected that we will work with the development
commission, as is entirely appropriate, to look at funding models for the
future. I thank the member very much indeed for his question, because, of
course, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on the good work done by the
member for Central Wheatbelt and the member for Moore in representing their
communities. Indeed, member for Collie–Preston, I signed letters to
those members of Parliament and the minister this morning. I thank the member
for Collie–Preston very much for the question, and I look forward to
the supplementary question.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean!
Mr T.R. BUSWELL :
It is a tricky question. Let us go back. The Public Transport Authority was
required to make some operational savings to achieve some broader targets that
the government set. That meant that some services in regional Western Australia
were trimmed or cut. We have previously discussed one in this place—that
is, the bus service that passed through Collie, Boyup Brook and the like. Due
to the good work of the representatives from Boyup Brook, and some input from
the member, some changes were made.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL :
We are still looking at some more changes in that particular area.
Of course, the member for Central Wheatbelt and the member
for Moore tabled petitions in this place, I think, last week. I have had
discussions with them as they have made representations on behalf of their
local communities, as is entirely appropriate. What is the outcome of those
discussions? The outcome of those discussions is that those two members have
been able to deliver a wonderful outcome for their local communities, as good
local members should; that is, that service will be retained. That service will
be retained initially for a period of six months while the PTA and the
Wheatbelt Development Commission work through the funding solution that will be
required to not only retain the existing service to the Avon Valley, but also
perhaps expand it. It would be expected that we will work with the development
commission, as is entirely appropriate, to look at funding models for the
future. I thank the member very much indeed for his question, because, of
course, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on the good work done by the
member for Central Wheatbelt and the member for Moore in representing their
communities. Indeed, member for Collie–Preston, I signed letters to
those members of Parliament and the minister this morning. I thank the member
for Collie–Preston very much for the question, and I look forward to
the supplementary question.
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