Latest News
Donation to the fire appeal
Our hearts and minds are with the many communities and families devastated by this season’s fires and with the many firefighters, volunteers and members of the defence force who have been so brave and determined in the fight to save our communities and homes.
Read MoreSUMMER 2019/20 Newsletter
My first year representing Eastern Metro Melbourne in the legislative council has been a busy and exciting one. My thanks and best wishes to for a safe and enjoyable festive season.
Read MoreUPDATE: Uber Class Action by Maurice Blackburn
An update on the Uber Class Action by Maurice Blackburn.
Read More2019 – a year in Parliament
We had an exciting and productive first year in Victoria’s legislative council, ending with an end to touting and 13 recommendations to work on to rebuild the broken commercial passenger vehicle industry.
Read MoreSummer Survey 2019/20
Please fill in my summer survey and help me set my political agenda for eastern metro Melbourne in 2020.
Read MoreLet the community decide the fate of Lake Knox
I’ve asked the Minister for Planning to reconsider the comprehensive development plan for the Lake Knox because it seems quite obvious that it describes a development that the local community doesn’t want – a petition with 12,000 signatures is a pretty big no!
Read MoreVHA/B/C emergency lane access
The decision to ban VHA/B/C vehicles from eastern freeway emergency lanes has been REVERSED by the Minister for Roads following Rod’s call for better consultation and notice.
Read MoreGreen light for community input into final NEL designs
Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton has welcomed the Minister for Planning’s green light for tendering consortiums to incorporate community driven designs into the final North East Link plans.
Read MoreTRANSCRIPT – Legislative Assembly – Touting Amendments to Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
Read the transcript of the passing of the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill and its touting amendments in the legislative assembly.
Read MoreTouting offense in place by Christmas
Touting and the advertising of commercial passenger vehicle services by non permit holders will become an offense by Christmas
Read MoreREPORT – Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reforms
Read the transcript or view the video of the tabling of the CPV Inquiry report in the Legislative Council.
Read MoreMEMBERS – Uber kicked out of London
My members statement on Transport for London’s decision against renewing Uber’s license to operate was cut short. Read the full statement here.
Read MoreWhere is the North East Link advisory group report?
This week I asked the Planning Minister for a timeline on the release of the independent advisory group (IAG) report on the North East Link project. Public hearings on the project’s Environmental Effects Statement concluded on 16 September, with the IAG required to present its report on more than 850…
Read MoreAward winning intern reports
We hosted two Parliamentary Interns this year with great success. Georgia Bishop’s business case to include Doncaster in Stage 1 of the Suburban Rail Loop won the Presiding Officers Award for most outstanding intern report. Nakshi Mehta’s report on the Rowville Rail project was the runner up.
Read MoreWorkplace Manslaughter
I am proud to be part of a Parliament that passed legislation yesterday to make workplace manslaughter a crime. There were 136 pairs of boots on the steps of Parliament House yesterday to signify those lost in workplace accidents – my congratulations to those who have campaigned for these changes. Read…
Read MoreCONSTITUENCY – Lake Knox
I asked the Minister for Planning to review the current comprehensive development plan for Lake Knox to ensure that community needs are incorporated into any development in the area.
Read MoreQUESTION – North East Link report
I asked the Minister for Planning for a time line on the release of the report and recommendations from the independent advisory group’s review of submissions on the environment effects statement (EES) and plans for the North East Link Project.
Read MoreTaxi and hire car inquiry recommendations show a clear path forward
We welcome the 13 recommendations tabled in Parliament today that open the opportunity to repair the past and pave the way for a viable and sustainable future for Victoria’s Commercial Passenger Vehicle industry.
Read MoreChecks for independent taxi operators
I asked the Minister for Public Transport what checks are in place to ensure taxi operators who leave established booking service providers maintain all safety requirements for taxi operators, including tamper proof cameras, fixed GPS and fixed meters.
Read MoreMEMBERS – Walk to the Valley 2019
My members statement this week drew the upper houses attention to the Walk to the Valley 2019 event this coming weekend to raise awareness and funds to support education to end the coward punch.
Read MoreADJOURNMENT – Increase maximum cap on taxi prices
This week I asked the Minister for Public Transport to give cabbies a pay rise and increase the maximum cap set by the Essential Services Commission on taxi fares.
Read MoreCONSTITUENCY QUESTION – Westall Road Extension
I asked the Minister for Roads when construction of the long promised and much anticipated Westall Road extension will begin.
Read MoreTouting will be banned by end of 2019
Touting will soon be outlawed in Victoria with two pieces of legislation in play to reintroduce the offence.
Read MoreUPDATE – VH plates back on the market
VH plates are again available for all vehicles that are registered to provide booked services only with Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria.
Read MoreThe battle to end the dangerous practise of touting in Victoria
When the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Reform Bill was introduced in August 2017, one of the most dangerous changes was the removal of the offence for touting. Rod Barton will debate a private members bill this week to reinstate these offence and end touting in Victoria.
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