❓ Hon Alison Xamon questions the progress of the transport master plan, citing abandoned rail projects. Hon Simon O'Brien deflects, highlighting government achievements and blaming the previous administration for inaction on rail projects.
AnsweredQoN 236Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN — RAIL SERVICES
I refer to the transport master plan. The passenger railway to Perth Airport has been abandoned, the rail service to Ellenbrook has been summarily dismissed, and the extension of the railway line from Armadale to Byford and Mundijong has gone nowhere. How far advanced is this government’s $6 million 20-year transport master plan and when will the people of Western Australia get to see it? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the transport master plan. The passenger railway to Perth Airport has been abandoned, the rail service to Ellenbrook has been summarily dismissed, and the extension of the railway line from Armadale to Byford and Mundijong has gone nowhere. How far advanced is this government’s $6 million 20-year transport master plan and when will the people of Western Australia get to see it? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Yes, it was a big question, was it not, that made all sorts of assertions. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Yes, it was a big question, was it not, that made all sorts of assertions. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Yes, it was a big question, was it not, that made all sorts of assertions. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Yes, it was a big question, was it not, that made all sorts of assertions. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Yes, it was a big question, was it not, that made all sorts of assertions. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You’re so condescending! Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Is Hon Alison Xamon going to run for the casual vacancy in Armadale to get a Green back into the lower house, perhaps? Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon Alison Xamon : Can you just answer the question, please? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : She is getting toey, is she not? Where did she learn that from? I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The government committed to the development of a 20-year plan for Perth’s future integrated public transport system as part of its election commitment. We have appointed an independent panel to undertake the 2031 public transport strategy for Perth and the Peel region. The final report is nearing completion and is expected to be provided to the government shortly. Until then, members would do well to remember that it was the former minister who, in 2008, said that the Ellenbrook railway line would not be required for another year; it was the former minister who dismissed extending the line to Byford; and it was the former government that failed to progress any planning for the extension of the railway line to the airport. In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
In comparison, this government is: providing free public transport to seniors, an initiative that has seen seven million free trips taken in the first 12 months of the scheme; spending over $200 million to extend the northern rail line to Butler; awaiting the outcomes of a tender for the provision of a further 10-year bus replacement program; building the Perth City Link project, something that will redefine the way people in Perth use and interact with public transport; and spending $50 million to build 3 000 new parking bays at train stations on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. The list could go on. I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
I say to the honourable member that the Liberal–National government is not only getting on with planning for the future of Perth’s public transport network but we are also getting on with building it.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.