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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-04-03 Daily Xml
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BUS SERVICES

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Industrial Relations questions regarding Adelaide's bus services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: I am sure like many colleagues in this house, Family First has received complaints from bus drivers and passengers. For instance, one which I will read out in part from a bus driver is about the frustration of Adelaide's bus drivers at the delays they are experiencing in Adelaide's traffic. Some tell me they are being subjected to abuse or hostility from passengers which can amount to risky occupational health, safety and welfare when, in drivers' views, the scheduling of bus timetables is the primary cause of the problems. One driver said:

The traffic is not included in the timetables, the timetable has been the same for the past 30+ years. Then if the companies do not make the time that the government set they fine them.

He goes on and on but concludes by saying:

You see we as bus drivers are sick and tired of this from the minister...and the...government.

The transcript from Ten News last night, in answer to questions from Adam Todd, reads as follows:

Reporter: 'Who sets the timetables, is that the government or the provider?'

(Patrick Conlon, infrastructure minister, grab)

Conlon: 'The provider sets the timetables on the services required by the government.'

Minister Fox, her grab:

Fox: 'The timetables are set by the government and they always have been.'

My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the industrial relations minister fully support the Minister for Transport Services on her stance that it will take until 1 July to rectify issues with bus services?

2. Will the minister undertake to bring back from the Minister for Transport Services the following: one, a clarification on who sets the timetables; two, the government's strategy between now and 30 June to improve bus services; and three, the fines that are being imposed on bus companies for delays with a table of fines imposed under this government since it came to office?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:51): I would like to thank the member for his question. First of all, I do have confidence in the Hon. Chloe Fox, the Minister for Transport Services. She has been handed a very challenging role. Public transport is a very difficult and challenging issue no matter where you go in the world. It does present its challenges. I have confidence in the honourable minister and I am sure that the problems will be fixed under her guidance. In regards to the other three matters, I will refer them on to the honourable minister and get an answer as soon as possible.

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