❓ Question regarding initiatives to encourage greater public transport use in Perth. The Minister responds by highlighting investments in public transport infrastructure and security upgrades, while also downplaying concerns about traffic stress.
AnsweredQoN 40Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — PROMOTION
Minister, I read this morning, in The West Australian , that most people in Perth choose to drive their private cars to work, rather than utilising public transport services. I am well aware of how popular measures such as free public transport for seniors have been in my electorate of Wanneroo, and I was hoping the minister could please inform the house of the further initiatives the Liberal–National government is implementing to encourage greater use of public transport in Perth. Mr T.R. BUSWELL
Minister, I read this morning, in The West Australian , that most people in Perth choose to drive their private cars to work, rather than utilising public transport services. I am well aware of how popular measures such as free public transport for seniors have been in my electorate of Wanneroo, and I was hoping the minister could please inform the house of the further initiatives the Liberal–National government is implementing to encourage greater use of public transport in Perth. Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wanneroo for raising the issue. I have already met with him to discuss some public transport challenges in his electorate. I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for raising the issue. I have already met with him to discuss some public transport challenges in his electorate. I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for raising the issue. I have already met with him to discuss some public transport challenges in his electorate. I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for raising the issue. I have already met with him to discuss some public transport challenges in his electorate. I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for raising the issue. I have already met with him to discuss some public transport challenges in his electorate. I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I was interested to read the front page headline of The West Australian today—“Workers feel pain of traffic stress”—which would insinuate that something horrible was happening. I looked at the little table that sat behind the report, and the level of commuters getting stressed during the commute in Perth is actually the lowest in the nation. I do not know whether that is good or bad, but we are obviously a little more relaxed. That is the most inaccurate piece of reporting since Ben Harvey tried to describe why the member for Rockingham was called “Sneakers”, as I recall. Moving on. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Minister. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The article states that 70 per cent of people in Perth use their cars to travel to work, which is about the same as in Brisbane and Adelaide. Is it too high or too low? I am not sure. Does it reflect long-established and long-built-up traditions and practices in Western Australia? No doubt. One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
One of the interesting things I noticed, though—this is a positive reflection on some of the work done by the former member for Armadale—is that over the past four years, public transport patronage in Western Australia has grown by 30 per cent, which is a great outcome. That is, in part, because of the railway line to Mandurah, and in part because of a whole range of innovations. I think we are lucky that there has been some significant investment in public transport in this state. I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I should draw to the house’s attention that that significant investment in public transport is continuing under this government. Some $360 million is being invested in the sinking of the railway line in the middle of the city; $250 million has been set aside for a new bus station in the middle of the city; Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Member for Joondalup! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : And $240 million has been allocated to extend the northern suburbs railway line. Member for Joondalup, when there is a safe, well-built bus station, people may be more prepared to use the buses that stop there. When people are not under the threat of assault at some seedy bus station in the middle of the city, more people may be prepared to get on the buses that go there—I do not know about that, member for Joondalup! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let us move on! An amount of $240 million will be spent to extend the railway line to Butler; $525 million for part of a bus replacement program; and $51 million to increase the number of parking bays at train stations on the rail network. Member for Joondalup, that means more people can park at a train station and catch the bus, in case the member is not up with it at the moment. A lot of money has been set aside to upgrade bus and train stations right across the metropolitan area. Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr W.J. Johnston : I wish you’d get on with it; we have been waiting two and a half years! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That includes Queens Park, member for Cannington. I might even invite him along when we do the works, so that he can stand next to the edge. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will touch on one other interesting set of statistics. As the house would be aware, a couple of years ago the government committed significant funds to upgrade security on our bus and rail networks. That resulted in more security cabs for buses, more closed-circuit cameras, duress alarms, security patrols and the like, and there have been significant reductions in assaults on drivers, rock and projectile attacks on buses and the like. I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
I want to close, as I did yesterday, with a point of comparison between the sensible policy solutions of the government and some public transport initiatives that have been put forward by the recently promoted member for Perth. The member for Perth’s contribution to public policy on buses is that Transperth needs to seriously look at upgrading its fleet of bendy buses to incorporate piano accordion music as they concertina around corners! Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I think this is a wonderful initiative, Leader of the Opposition. Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Well, do it! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I have not finished yet. The member for Perth wants bendy buses that play piano accordion music every time they twist and turn, which will create a recognisable tourist attraction at little cost. Mr Hyde added that proposal to his Facebook page! And—wait for it—he said that he had been exhilarated by the response to the bendy bus proposal. Once again, we have a clear difference in public policy. Yesterday we had the rise of “Goldfinger” Travers in the upper house. Today we have the rise of the bendy bus accordion-playing member for Perth. There is a clear point of distinction emerging between the opposition and the government on how we intend to develop public policy in this state.
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