Public Transport

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister advise whether he is planning to cut, or in discussions to cut, public bus services over the Christmas and new year period?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:52): I know that the department has been in discussions with the three bus operators about arrangements over the Christmas period. It has been of concern, I understand, for some years to the people within the department who work with the bus companies on delivering services that we have, over the period between Christmas and new year, been offering full peak public transport services across our bus, train and tram network, but I would have to take it on notice how far advanced they are with those discussions, let alone whether any decision has been made about a recommendation on that.