Barton proposes easy fix for MCG drop offs

A new transport management solution is needed to cope with an influx of commercial passenger vehicles (CPV) on event days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground according to Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton.

Geelong fast rail a good start to bold transport infrastructure

Election promises by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for fast rail services to Geelong are a good start to the bold transport infrastructure planning needed in Victoria according to Transport Matters Party leader and Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton.

ATO to review Victorian fairness fund payments

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will undertake a review of the Victorian Fairness Fund payments to the taxi and hire car industry following a query from Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton.

Transport Legislation Amendment (Better Roads Victoria and Other Amendments) Bill 2018

I rise today in support of the Transport Legislation Amendment (Better Roads Victoria and Other Amendments) Bill 2018 and its allocation of funding to regional and outer suburban communities.

AMENDMENT – car toll rates for privately registered utes and cab chassis

This amendment is about making our toll roads fairer for families. Modern utes are the new Commodore and Falcon station wagons. They are vehicles Victorian families drive and love; charging them a commercial rate just is not fair.

AMENDMENT – toll exemption for taxis, VH plates and buses

We have an opportunity here today to amend our tolling and make some impact on congestion and on the number of vehicles using all our roads. Vehicles that make up our public transport system should not be tolled. We must exclude taxis, VH-registered cars and buses from the tolls on the West Gate Tun…

QUESTION: VH Number Plates

I ask the minister to explain why VicRoads have ceased to release VH plates to hire car operators in Victoria, keeping in mind that VicRoads have reserved the plates from VHA right through to VHZ.

AMENDMENT – remove potential for future tolls on trailers

It is certainly our view that this is a stepping stone moving towards Transurban charging for trailers, caravans and boats, and if they do want to move in that direction, they should be transparent and say so.

ADJOURNMENT: Roadworthy certificate to get CPV licence

I ask the minister: will she make it compulsory for commercial passenger vehicle (CPV) licence holders to present a current roadworthy certificate and a certificate of commercial passenger vehicle insurance when registering for or renewing their commercial passenger vehicle licence?

Missed opportunity for fairer tolls

Toll operators got another bonus payout today when the legislative council voted down an amendment to give families a discount on West Gate Tunnel tolls. 

Tolls amendment to West Gate Tunnel bill

I propose these amendments today because I wish to bring a new level of fairness to the tolling system that will be adopted when our West Gate Tunnel opens. I want us to consider what tolls on our roads are for.

MEMBERS STATEMENT: Bullying. No Way!

Mr  BARTON  (Eastern Metropolitan) (09:51:00): Last Friday schools across the country participated in a national day of action against bullying. Over 2.4 million students from 5726 schools across Australia united to spread a very powerful message. I am proud to say that many schools in my Eastern Metropolitan Region took part—there are too many to list.

Bullying is never okay. Bullying is a misuse of power. It is ongoing and repeated and it causes harm. We can all take action every day to stop it. Call it out when you see it. Stand by friends who experience it. Tell someone if it is happening to you.

Life is very different for young people today than when I was at school. They did have schools when I was that age! Our use of social media takes bullying out of the schoolyard and it follows them into their homes, into their safe places. Approximately one in five young people under 18—20 per cent—report online bullying in any one year.

I thank everyone involved in this conversation, and I encourage school communities to say, ‘Bullying. No Way!’ and take action every day.

ADJOURNMENT: Homelessness in Eastern Metro

Over 14 000 people accessed homelessness assistance services in the council areas that touch the Eastern Metropolitan Region in the last financial year.

No West Gate Tunnel tolls for taxis; private utes pay car rates

Taxis and VH plated hire cars will be exempt from tolls and private utes will be tolled at car rates in the new West Gate Tunnel if amendments presented by Eastern Metro MP Rod Barton pass the Legislative Council today.

Industry devastated by Four Corners Uber Story revelations

Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton said he was not surprised by the revelations of the ABCs Four Corners program on Uber’s antics entering the Australian market.

Bullying is never okay

Today is the National Day of Action against bullying and school communities across Australia will share how they take action and put their bullying prevention programs and initiatives in the spotlight.

Upgrades needed at Box Hill Interchange

“I have invited the Minster to visit the Box Hill interchange with me to witness the extreme overcrowding at peak hour, and to take the opportunity to share information with local Council and stakeholders on the transport needs in the area and the progress of the steering committee.”

Wheelchair taxi services struggle in regions

Regional taxi companies are struggling to expand wheelchair taxi fleets because setup subsidies only apply if they are replacing existing vehicles.

CityLink users will pay $22 billion for a $6.8 billion road

Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters Leader Rod Barton says the burden of the West Gate Tunnel bill has been passed onto road users on the Tullamarine and Monash freeways  following the extension of CityLink tolls out until 2045 this week. 

Red Tape Commissioner

We had a great meeting with the Red Tape Commissioner Anna Cronin and her team last week and have asked her to follow-up some of the issues we discussed.

3AW – It’s irresponsible by the regulator

Today Rod sat down with 3AWs Neil Mitchel to talk about the increasingly dangerous issue of touting on the streets of Melbourne.