❓ Opposition asks the Transport Minister to clarify the government's commitment to light rail (MAX) after conflicting statements from the Premier. The Minister defends the government's position, stating they are still committed to light rail but exploring alternative solutions for cost-effectiveness and urban renewal.
AnsweredQoN 789Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — PREMIER'S
COMMENTS
789. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the minister's
plan outlined in July this year to use buses instead of building the Metro Area
Express light rail because, as he claimed, and I quote, ''You will get
more bang for your buck.'' In light of the Premier's comments
today, which completely undermine the minister, as he is now favouring light
rail over buses, can the minister confirm today what his government is
committed to—light rail, MAX light rail or MAX on wheels?
COMMENTS
789. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the minister's
plan outlined in July this year to use buses instead of building the Metro Area
Express light rail because, as he claimed, and I quote, ''You will get
more bang for your buck.'' In light of the Premier's comments
today, which completely undermine the minister, as he is now favouring light
rail over buses, can the minister confirm today what his government is
committed to—light rail, MAX light rail or MAX on wheels?
AnswerView source ↗
I love being asked about public
transport solutions and what this government is working on.
Mr
J.R. Quigley interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Butler, I call you to order for the third time!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have said —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have said that the delay in the delivery of MAX has allowed
me to explore this more fully. In some of the conversations—I have had
them with the Premier—the Premier has been clear that until I can
validate to the satisfaction of the Premier and my colleagues that I am on the
right track, we are still committed to delivering MAX light rail.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bassendean, I can hear you all the time up here. I call you to order for the
first time.
Mr
P.T. Miles interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I
am going to help the people opposite along and give them a little bit more of
an education about the challenges in this space. We talk about two aspects of
MAX; one is across city and the other one is about running from Mirrabooka into
the CBD. In looking at Mirrabooka into the CBD, we are trying to solve two
issues with the one solution. The two issues are: first, we are trying to find
a rapid transport solution for the people of Mirrabooka and Dianella to get
them to the city as quickly as we can. The second issue we are trying to solve
is around this whole urban renewal of inner-city suburbs.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order
for the second time. Minister, you have two minutes.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
Thank you, Mr Speaker—two minutes; I will look at the clock. The member
for West Swan is absolutely full of it and full of her own self-importance. It
had nothing to do with her metropolitan transport plan—absolutely
nothing. We are talking about a rapid transport solution at the same time as
urban renewal, and members opposite are trying to mix getting people into the
city through Fitzgerald Street —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean!
Mr D.C. NALDER : I
thought members opposite were Western Australians. I thought we were all
interested in the long-term public transport solutions for Western Australia. I
apologise; I take it back. The Liberal–National government is committed
to public transport.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr D.C. NALDER :
The Liberal–National government is committed to public transport
solutions. We are committed to delivering the best possible outcome for the
local community and for all of Western Australia. I am taking the delay time to
ensure that we validate this appropriately. I am of the view that we can
deliver the same outcomes at a lot lower cost.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr D.C. NALDER :
There are still two outcomes that may require two different solutions.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan!
Mr D.C. NALDER : We
are looking at rapid transport. If we build a light rail to Mirrabooka and
solve that with rapid transport, those light-rail vehicles will be moving at 50
to 60 kays an hour through the suburbs. Light rail, or the trams in Melbourne,
average 17 kilometres an hour.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
The member for Bassendean is trying to change the argument. We are not talking
about Fitzgerald Street being the same as the Bourke Street mall and vehicles
trundling through at four kilometres an hour. I have serious concerns that we
will be able to deliver the two solutions with the one outcome. We are still
committed to delivering a light-rail solution. We will continue to work through
and we will provide our solution when we have it all at hand and I have taken
it through cabinet.
transport solutions and what this government is working on.
Mr
J.R. Quigley interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Butler, I call you to order for the third time!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have said —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have said that the delay in the delivery of MAX has allowed
me to explore this more fully. In some of the conversations—I have had
them with the Premier—the Premier has been clear that until I can
validate to the satisfaction of the Premier and my colleagues that I am on the
right track, we are still committed to delivering MAX light rail.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bassendean, I can hear you all the time up here. I call you to order for the
first time.
Mr
P.T. Miles interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I
am going to help the people opposite along and give them a little bit more of
an education about the challenges in this space. We talk about two aspects of
MAX; one is across city and the other one is about running from Mirrabooka into
the CBD. In looking at Mirrabooka into the CBD, we are trying to solve two
issues with the one solution. The two issues are: first, we are trying to find
a rapid transport solution for the people of Mirrabooka and Dianella to get
them to the city as quickly as we can. The second issue we are trying to solve
is around this whole urban renewal of inner-city suburbs.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order
for the second time. Minister, you have two minutes.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
Thank you, Mr Speaker—two minutes; I will look at the clock. The member
for West Swan is absolutely full of it and full of her own self-importance. It
had nothing to do with her metropolitan transport plan—absolutely
nothing. We are talking about a rapid transport solution at the same time as
urban renewal, and members opposite are trying to mix getting people into the
city through Fitzgerald Street —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean!
Mr D.C. NALDER : I
thought members opposite were Western Australians. I thought we were all
interested in the long-term public transport solutions for Western Australia. I
apologise; I take it back. The Liberal–National government is committed
to public transport.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr D.C. NALDER :
The Liberal–National government is committed to public transport
solutions. We are committed to delivering the best possible outcome for the
local community and for all of Western Australia. I am taking the delay time to
ensure that we validate this appropriately. I am of the view that we can
deliver the same outcomes at a lot lower cost.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr D.C. NALDER :
There are still two outcomes that may require two different solutions.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan!
Mr D.C. NALDER : We
are looking at rapid transport. If we build a light rail to Mirrabooka and
solve that with rapid transport, those light-rail vehicles will be moving at 50
to 60 kays an hour through the suburbs. Light rail, or the trams in Melbourne,
average 17 kilometres an hour.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
Mr D.C. NALDER :
The member for Bassendean is trying to change the argument. We are not talking
about Fitzgerald Street being the same as the Bourke Street mall and vehicles
trundling through at four kilometres an hour. I have serious concerns that we
will be able to deliver the two solutions with the one outcome. We are still
committed to delivering a light-rail solution. We will continue to work through
and we will provide our solution when we have it all at hand and I have taken
it through cabinet.
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