MOTION – Inquiry in homelessness in Victoria
My motion asks the Legal and Social Issues Committee to provide an independent analysis of the changing scale and nature of homelessness across Victoria. We need to get a proper handle on this. I want the committee to investigate why, and what are the many social, economic and policy factors that impact on homelessness, and I want the committee to identify policies and practices from all levels of government that have a bearing on delivering services to the homeless.
MEMBERS: North East Link EES submissions
Recently I have engaged closely with the community in my electorate to ensure that they are aware and they have assistance in preparing their submissions for the environment effects statement (EES). In the past fortnight my office has received a huge number of calls, emails and messages from residents, sporting clubs and local councils.
QUESTION: RedBook testing for commercial passenger vehicles
I asked the minister to set a safety standard for all proper roadworthy certificates issued by licensed vehicle testers for commercial passenger vehicles operating in Victoria?
MOTION – Inquiry to expand free tram zone and free transport for students and senior
I present this motion today because I have a sincere interest in improving public transport services across Victoria, particularly in Melbourne. As you know, my background is in the taxi and hire car industry, and I see this industry as an integral part of our public transport system. Our trams, trains and buses deliver services across the city and out into our regional areas, but as part of that system our commercial passenger vehicles deliver on the first and last mile and in particular for the most vulnerable—those who are sick, those who are frail, those who are young and at risk, the elderly and those travelling late at night.
QUESTION – Department of Transport
I asked Minister Jennings to share details of the agencies included in and the responsibilities of the new mega transport department and whether there will be any job losses resulting from the agency mergers and any new ministerial roles in this new mega agency.
MEMBERS – Madison Paige
Mr BARTON: I also want to say one other thing. I am also very happy that the Maggies are up and about, President, but the highlight of the week for me is my daughter. Throughout her pregnancy the baby was referred to as ‘Marshmallow’. She was born on Monday. We have now got the very gorgeous Madison Paige. So thank you
MEMBERS – Class Action against Uber
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (09:50): Around three years ago I sat down at a dinner table with a couple of my mates, Mr Andre Baruch and Nadav Prawer. Nadav is a lawyer, and we were discussing the illegal entry into Victoria of Uber. That evening set the wheels in motion that brought us to 3 May, when the law firm Maurice Blackburn filed in the Supreme Court a class action against Uber. We started this originally just for our original members, but this has now grown to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. This is going to be the largest class action this country has ever seen. I am very happy to be able to say that, and I am very proud of all of those people who have joined together to tell Uber that they are not making the rules. I am very happy about that.
Upgrades to Templestowe Road and Bulleen Rod in NEL
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:50): My constituency question is addressed to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, in the other place. I seek assurances for residents and businesses on Templestowe Road and Bulleen Road, south of the freeway, that these will receive upgrades needed to cope with the increase in traffic. These are two key on-ramp roads that are currently deemed out of scope for the North East Link Project. Templestowe Road is a rural road. It has no kerbs, drainage channels, footpaths, formal bus stops, shelters or safe pedestrian crossing points.
The road currently has 13 000 vehicles per day, and to date the North East Link Authority has provided limited modelling projections, yet this road will be a major feeder into the Bulleen Road–Manningham Road intersection. On Bulleen Road 1600 vehicles use the two-lane residential stretch between the freeway and Doncaster Road on a daily basis. It is expected to increase to nearly 5000 vehicles each day, and small businesses and residents along this road are understandably concerned. So I ask the minister: what assurances can she give residents and businesses that these roads will receive the required upgrades to accommodate the increased traffic?
QUESTION – Reinstate touting laws
My question today is for Minister Pulford, representing the Minister for Public Transport in the other place. I ask for the urgent consideration of a solution to stop drivers touting for rides.