Thursday, 27 August 2026

 Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (14:38): (1797) My constituency question is for the Minister for Public Transport. Minister, please tell me how many people have used the cross-peninsula bus service, also known as the route 886, since it made its first trip on 5 July this year? Many people in the community have talked about and asked for a cross-peninsula bus service for decades. I campaigned on it, and as soon as I had a seat in this place I set about doing everything I could to make it happen. I would like to give my thanks to the two transport ministers in the government at the time who helped make this happen. The first one is now the Premier, Premier Carroll, and the second transport minister is now the Deputy Premier, Deputy Premier Williams, and I say thank you very much for your help and support in making the bus a reality. The bus is up, it is running, and people are using it and telling me they are very happy with it and how fantastic it is to be able to get into Mornington so quickly. People also ask how many people are actually using it. I know patronage will grow and, I believe, come this summer every bus will be packed to the rafters.

Annabelle Cleeland: On a point of order, Speaker, I have 34 questions currently overdue, and they cover several portfolios – some date back to March – environment, housing, public transport, several health questions, roads and road safety –

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Euroa, we need the numbers of the questions.

Annabelle Cleeland: You want me to read out all 34?

The SPEAKER: No, I ask you to give that to the clerks.

Annabelle Cleeland: Excellent. I have 36 more questions overdue by the end of this week too.

The SPEAKER: Pass the list to the clerks, member for Euroa.