❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Transport regarding the cancellation of a community presentation about the Fitzroy River Bridge and the potential opening dates for different types of traffic. The Minister denies interference and states an announcement is forthcoming.
AnsweredQoN 1163Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FITZROY RIVER BRIDGE
1163. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the postponed Main Roads Western
Australia community presentation planned for 2 October in Derby. My electorate
office staff member was travelling from Broome to Derby to attend and be
provided with information that the minister has thus far refused to deliver in
the Parliament, only to be advised on the day of travel, the day of the
session, that the information session was cancelled.
(1) Did anyone in
the minister's office including the minister direct or request Main
Roads to cancel the community information session at the last minute?
(2) If yes to
(1), is this because the minister seeks to maximise political advantage from
the announcement of a date on the bridge opening?
(3) Is there a likelihood that the
bridge will be opened to some traffic by the end of November 2023?
(4) Is
there a likelihood that the bridge will be opened to heavy traffic, including
road trains, by 15 December 2023?
1163. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the postponed Main Roads Western
Australia community presentation planned for 2 October in Derby. My electorate
office staff member was travelling from Broome to Derby to attend and be
provided with information that the minister has thus far refused to deliver in
the Parliament, only to be advised on the day of travel, the day of the
session, that the information session was cancelled.
(1) Did anyone in
the minister's office including the minister direct or request Main
Roads to cancel the community information session at the last minute?
(2) If yes to
(1), is this because the minister seeks to maximise political advantage from
the announcement of a date on the bridge opening?
(3) Is there a likelihood that the
bridge will be opened to some traffic by the end of November 2023?
(4) Is
there a likelihood that the bridge will be opened to heavy traffic, including
road trains, by 15 December 2023?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) Work
on the new Fitzroy River Bridge has been progressing exceptionally well due to
the hard work of the men and women on the ground at Fitzroy. It has been noted
widely that the member has constantly criticised the progress of the work on
the bridge, and, in turn, the workers.
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON : I beg
your pardon. Does the member want the answer?
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON : An
announcement regarding access arrangements for the coming wet season will be
made very soon.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) Work
on the new Fitzroy River Bridge has been progressing exceptionally well due to
the hard work of the men and women on the ground at Fitzroy. It has been noted
widely that the member has constantly criticised the progress of the work on
the bridge, and, in turn, the workers.
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON : I beg
your pardon. Does the member want the answer?
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON : An
announcement regarding access arrangements for the coming wet season will be
made very soon.
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