Bus Services

Mr BOYER (Wright) (14:44): My question is to the Premier. What advice can the Premier give to Peter from Golden Grove about how he should access public transport under the Marshall Liberal government's proposed bus route changes? With your leave and that of the house, Speaker, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BOYER: Peter, a 76-year-old man with mobility issues who uses a walking stick, currently has a bus stop 50 metres from his front door, but under your proposed changes he will need to walk 800 metres up and down hills to access his closest bus stop.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:45): It's very difficult in this chamber to give a specific answer to a specific question without having the details.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Not wishing to—

Mr Boyer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order and warned.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: What I would say to Peter is: please contact. We are happy to provide direct information about what the alternative options are. There is a spectrum of transport that's available for people with mobility issues.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hurtle Vale, please!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Between the taxi subsidy scheme, community transport operators, as well as public transport, we provide a range of options for people with a range of mobility situations. We need to look into each of those cases individually. In terms of public transport, we certainly do accept the fact that we do have to create a network of options for people with different mobility situations because getting on or getting off a bus does require the ability of someone to be able to walk. Certainly, when they get to their journey they also need to be able to get from their—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Elizabeth, I am going to ask you to leave for the remainder of question time. I have given you fair latitude today; you are still interjecting. Please leave under 137A for the remainder of question time.

The honourable member for Elizabeth having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale, I remind you that interjections are out of order. The minister has the call. Minister, have you completed your answer?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Sure.

The SPEAKER: He has completed his answer. Member for Finniss and I will come back to the member for Wright and then the member for Florey.