Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Ministers statements: public transport

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:25): Today I rise to highlight the extraordinary work of our public transport workers –

Sam Groth interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Nepean withdrew from chamber.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: to keep Victoria moving. The Spring Racing Carnival is one of the busiest periods in our network each and every year, which is why we add extra services and extra workers to help passengers get to the races safely. I want to give a shout-out to the extra customer service staff, the authorised officers and drivers as well as the dedicated team at the Metro control centre who kept our system running and our commuters supported over those few days. The workforce put in a huge effort on Cup Day and then the very next day confronted the additional challenge of the Optus outage, but they showed up to help commuters navigate revised timetables and keep the system running. Then they backed it up the very next day, Oaks Day, which is the busiest day on our network each and every year, and they did a stellar job.

Throughout the Spring Racing Carnival we added almost 1000 extra services, including extra daytime services and all-night transport on Friday and Saturday nights. On Melbourne Cup Day we ran an additional 290 train services. On Derby Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day we ran additional trams on the 57 route to Flemington as well as shuttle services from Flinders Street to the racecourse. Across the carnival more than 100,000 people took the train at Flemington. It was not just the Spring Racing Carnival that our transport workers helped to get Victorians to – our veterans were able to travel to Remembrance Day events for free, thanks to the Veterans Card Victoria. Unlike those opposite, the Allan government is committed to investing in a world-class public transport system for all Victorians so that more trains can run more often.

Members interjecting.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: I would watch the misogyny, member for Hawthorn – watch it. And we will continue to invest.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, that was simply disorderly.

Jacinta Allan: On the point of order, Speaker, I would ask you rule the Manager of Opposition Business’s point of order out of order. Before he rushes to defend the Leader of the Opposition in the way he does, I would suggest the Leader of the Opposition needs to cease and desist with his constant references to ministers across the table. Otherwise, we will also make similar points of order that the Manager of Opposition Business may not like.

The SPEAKER: I will rule on this point of order, Leader of the Nationals. I would like to rule on this point of order. I know that you will be referring to similar matters, but there is too much interjection across the table. There is too much interjection across the house more broadly. When members are on their feet I ask you to be respectful. It is not too much to ask. There is no point of order.

Peter Walsh: On a further point of order, Speaker, if we are going to go down this path, I would ask you to ask the Leader of the House to also refrain –

The SPEAKER: Order! I have ruled on the point of order, Leader of the Nationals. I have ruled on the point of order. I have reflected on all members in the chamber to show some respect.