13 November 2024
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:44): I had not intended to speak on this bill because it had been my understanding that it was going to be referred to a parliamentary inquiry, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that that may not be necessary. Of course, it would have been nice to have heard that from the minister and to have been advised where things were at. I know Christmas is coming, but Secret Santa is not always the best approach when it comes to matters in the parliament.
I received a number of representations from stakeholder groups in relation to this bill, and indicated that I would be happy to refer it on to a parliamentary committee so that we could address some of the issues they had raised, in particular the issues the Hon. Frank Pangallo and the Hon. Ben Hood flagged around the potential impacts on people with autism, for instance, who might be using a motor vehicle that is unfamiliar to them when undertaking a test. That is of concern to me, but I am pleased to hear that the government is now setting up a consultative process to look at those issues, and it will be incumbent on the minister to make sure he takes on board that feedback and finds the right solution.
I recognise that a lot of regional people do not have a choice necessarily in terms of being able to leave their car at home or take public transport, because the areas they live in are not appropriately serviced by public transport. Many members in this place will know my strong views around the need for regional rail, but also the need for us to have a public transport network that is consistent and runs right throughout the state, not just in metropolitan areas.
The Hon. Frank Pangallo flagged the parliamentary inquiry into public and active transport, which I chaired. The report was handed down nearly two years ago. It has sat in a drawer, I suspect, somewhere in the minister's office gathering dust. I hope that, with just a year left before the next election, the minister will respond to the report or at least agree to meet with me to discuss the recommendations of the report, so we can look what we can do to improve public transport in our state, in particular in the regions because time and again we are reminded of how vitally important that access to public infrastructure is for people living in regional communities. With that, I conclude my remarks.