Latest News
REPORT – 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.
Read MoreUPDATE – SMARTbuses for rail loop
This week we received a response from Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne regarding Rod’s question about adding SMARTbuses to the suburban rail loop route to combat public transport gaps.
Read MoreTax reviews for taxi fairness fund recipients
The ATO has agreed to review individual cases relating to fairness fund payments and I am urging those affected to approach the ATO for assistance. I asked the Treasurer this week why no tax advice had been offered to those who received payments and now face tax debt.
Read MoreTax obligations for fairness fund recipients
I asked the Treasurer for information about the intention of taxi and hire car industry fairness fund payments, highlighting the pressure banks put of recipients to pay down loans and the lack of tax advice.
Read MoreA broader focus for homelessness – prevention and social housing
We need a broader focus to solve homelesssness that includes prevents and on wrapping services around communities to make sure everybody has a home and is able to stay in their homes.
Read MoreLevel crossing removal – put Coolstore Road, Croydon on the list
I’ve asked the Minister for Transport Infrastruction when the Coolstore Road level crossing at Croydon will be included in the level crossing removal program? The council and community want this one gone, and have done much of the work, so let’s get it moving while they’re working at Mooroolbark and…
Read MoreNORTH EAST LINK – dismay at early works, community hopes rest on recommendations
I’ve raised concerns with the Government over early works on the North East Link project going ahead without the promised EES and planning approvals and reiterated the need for community concerns to be taken into consideration.
Read MoreCOMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE INDUSTRY AMENDMENT BILL 2019 – second reading speech
View and read the transcript of Rods second reading speech to the Legislative Council for the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Amendment Bill 2019 to reintroduce the offence of touting in Victoria. This bill will be debated on November 13, 2019.
Read MoreNorth East Link: Early works begin before EES recommendations and approvals are in
I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure why early works have started at Borlase Reserve before the EES recommendations are presented or any approvals issued.
Read MoreTell your MP to stop touting
I am encouraging members of the taxi industry and the public to urge Labor Government Ministers and legislative council members to vote in favour of my private members bill to put a stop to the dangerous practice of touting in Victoria.
Read MoreFree public transport for seniors
Rod spoke to 3AW’s Neil Mitchel last week about why public transport should be free for seniors and students.
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