❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the progress of the Metronet program and public transport support, answered with updates and political commentary.
AnsweredQoN 467Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRONET — PROGRESS
467. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to this WA Labor government's
record investment in public transport infrastructure.
(1) Can the minister please update the house on the
government's signature Metronet program and—on something you
may be very interested in, Madam Speaker—recent milestones like the
Midland station sod turn?
(2) Can the
minister explain the level of support for public transport in the WA community?
467. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to this WA Labor government's
record investment in public transport infrastructure.
(1) Can the minister please update the house on the
government's signature Metronet program and—on something you
may be very interested in, Madam Speaker—recent milestones like the
Midland station sod turn?
(2) Can the
minister explain the level of support for public transport in the WA community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for that question. I also acknowledge
the students from Roleystone Community College , which is my old school.
Welcome to the gallery. It was called Roleystone District High School when I went
many, many years ago.
Mr R.H. Cook :
How many years ago? Many, many!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI :
Many, many years ago—I will give members a hint!
Mr D.A.
Templeman : Is your name on a plaque up there?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : It is. There
is a name on a plaque there. I was one of the first students to arrive at the
school when it was built many, many years ago. I went from year 5 to year 10.
Welcome to the gallery!
In relation to public transport, of
course, no government has invested as much in public transport as this one. We
continue to achieve the milestones on Metronet. Recently, Madam Speaker, the
Premier and I turned the sod for the new
Midland train station. The train station will have three platforms, a new
multistorey car park, a new dedicated regional rail platform, a new
shared path and bike facilities. It will be a brand new station that will
better service people wanting to access the
city centre and the hospital in particular. It will be a brand new station at a
new location . There will be a new bus interchange and multistorey car
park.
Of course, there are works underway
everywhere. New railcars are being tested on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines. There are new beams—80 per cent of
the L-beams for our new elevated rail through Cannington and Victoria Park
have already been produced. We are seeking final approvals for new stations
like Cannington and Queens Park stations. We are working on the planning and
delivery of the Byford extension and the new Armadale station and the level
crossings removals there. There are the new Alkimos and Yanchep stations. There
are the Thornlie–Cockburn Link and
the Ellenbrook rail line. Those projects are very much well underway and in the
serious stage of delivery.
I also want to acknowledge the new
member for Rockingham. We know that the member for Rockingham's constituents love public transport. Of course, a Labor
government built the Mandurah rail line. A Labor government cut public
transport fares to Rockingham from $8.50 to $5.10. We have also recently
introduced fare-free Sundays on the first Sunday of every month. I know that when
the member for Rockingham was out there campaigning, she promoted Labor's record on public transport, and that is
just another reason why she is sitting here in this chamber . The member
for Rockingham was not here yesterday when I highlighted that the Leader of the
Liberal Party claimed victory in the Rockingham by-election. I am glad the
member for Rockingham is here today because I was not dreaming, we did win the
by-election and of course she is here in this chamber. It is always good to see
who turns up to the polling booths on by-election days. It was great to see the
puppet-master himself, the kingmaker, Hon Nick Goiran. The former member for
Darling Range made an appearance.
Ms J.J. Shaw : She parks in
disabled bays!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : That is
harsh!
The SPEAKER : Order, please
members!
Ms L. Mettam : So much to
learn!
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There we are.
''So much to learn'', says the leader who with a 17.8 per cent
primary vote went out and claimed victory in the Rockingham by-election!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Ms
R. SAFFIOTI : They are a bit touchy
today! Of course, there was another surprising thing that we saw on by- election
day. Remember, we have the Nationals WA.
Point of Order
Mr R.S.
LOVE : Point of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! Just
wait until people are quiet. I just need to remind members, quite obviously,
that points of order are taken in silence. I would like to hear the point of
order.
Mr
R.S. LOVE : The question is
referring to transport matters, and all we have heard about for the last three
minutes is by-election results. I ask that the minister be asked to come
back to provide an answer that is relevant to the question.
The SPEAKER : I do not believe
that your argument is entirely accurate; we have heard about more in the last
three minutes than by-election results. I will, however, draw the minister's
attention to the question at hand and ask her to be brief in concluding her
response.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Sure. The
question asked us whether the public supports public transport, and we ran a very
strong public transport campaign in the Rockingham by-election. But I refer to
the Leader of the Opposition. Remember that the Leader of the Opposition wants
to appeal to densely populated areas. There he was with a Liberal Party hat at
the Rockingham by-election. I will give the Leader of the Opposition a tip. If
I wanted to appeal to densely populated areas, I would not be wearing a Liberal
Party hat!
the students from Roleystone Community College , which is my old school.
Welcome to the gallery. It was called Roleystone District High School when I went
many, many years ago.
Mr R.H. Cook :
How many years ago? Many, many!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI :
Many, many years ago—I will give members a hint!
Mr D.A.
Templeman : Is your name on a plaque up there?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : It is. There
is a name on a plaque there. I was one of the first students to arrive at the
school when it was built many, many years ago. I went from year 5 to year 10.
Welcome to the gallery!
In relation to public transport, of
course, no government has invested as much in public transport as this one. We
continue to achieve the milestones on Metronet. Recently, Madam Speaker, the
Premier and I turned the sod for the new
Midland train station. The train station will have three platforms, a new
multistorey car park, a new dedicated regional rail platform, a new
shared path and bike facilities. It will be a brand new station that will
better service people wanting to access the
city centre and the hospital in particular. It will be a brand new station at a
new location . There will be a new bus interchange and multistorey car
park.
Of course, there are works underway
everywhere. New railcars are being tested on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines. There are new beams—80 per cent of
the L-beams for our new elevated rail through Cannington and Victoria Park
have already been produced. We are seeking final approvals for new stations
like Cannington and Queens Park stations. We are working on the planning and
delivery of the Byford extension and the new Armadale station and the level
crossings removals there. There are the new Alkimos and Yanchep stations. There
are the Thornlie–Cockburn Link and
the Ellenbrook rail line. Those projects are very much well underway and in the
serious stage of delivery.
I also want to acknowledge the new
member for Rockingham. We know that the member for Rockingham's constituents love public transport. Of course, a Labor
government built the Mandurah rail line. A Labor government cut public
transport fares to Rockingham from $8.50 to $5.10. We have also recently
introduced fare-free Sundays on the first Sunday of every month. I know that when
the member for Rockingham was out there campaigning, she promoted Labor's record on public transport, and that is
just another reason why she is sitting here in this chamber . The member
for Rockingham was not here yesterday when I highlighted that the Leader of the
Liberal Party claimed victory in the Rockingham by-election. I am glad the
member for Rockingham is here today because I was not dreaming, we did win the
by-election and of course she is here in this chamber. It is always good to see
who turns up to the polling booths on by-election days. It was great to see the
puppet-master himself, the kingmaker, Hon Nick Goiran. The former member for
Darling Range made an appearance.
Ms J.J. Shaw : She parks in
disabled bays!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : That is
harsh!
The SPEAKER : Order, please
members!
Ms L. Mettam : So much to
learn!
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : There we are.
''So much to learn'', says the leader who with a 17.8 per cent
primary vote went out and claimed victory in the Rockingham by-election!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Ms
R. SAFFIOTI : They are a bit touchy
today! Of course, there was another surprising thing that we saw on by- election
day. Remember, we have the Nationals WA.
Point of Order
Mr R.S.
LOVE : Point of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! Just
wait until people are quiet. I just need to remind members, quite obviously,
that points of order are taken in silence. I would like to hear the point of
order.
Mr
R.S. LOVE : The question is
referring to transport matters, and all we have heard about for the last three
minutes is by-election results. I ask that the minister be asked to come
back to provide an answer that is relevant to the question.
The SPEAKER : I do not believe
that your argument is entirely accurate; we have heard about more in the last
three minutes than by-election results. I will, however, draw the minister's
attention to the question at hand and ask her to be brief in concluding her
response.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Sure. The
question asked us whether the public supports public transport, and we ran a very
strong public transport campaign in the Rockingham by-election. But I refer to
the Leader of the Opposition. Remember that the Leader of the Opposition wants
to appeal to densely populated areas. There he was with a Liberal Party hat at
the Rockingham by-election. I will give the Leader of the Opposition a tip. If
I wanted to appeal to densely populated areas, I would not be wearing a Liberal
Party hat!
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