Latest News
Action on touting needed now says Barton
A private members bill to stop touting and tighten safety flaws around commercial passenger vehicle registrations will be introduced by Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton when Parliament returns in August.
Read MoreUPDATE: Lawyers not needed at North East Link panel hearings says Minister
We received a response this week from the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne following Mr Barton’s question in parliament regarding the need to get legal representation to present individual cases on the North East Link Environmental Effects hearings.
Read MoreRework the North East Link to save Bulleen businesses and 1200 jobs says MP
The cost of fairly compensating and relocating these business, plus the negative impact of removing a precinct that contributed over $132 million each year to the local community deserved more than the cursory mention in the Environmental Effects Statement.
Read MoreVictorian’s start paying tolls that pay for roads they don’t use
“When the tolling legislation passed parliament back in March I tried to get some concessions for public transport operators and for families driving dual cab utes, but the government said no,” said Mr Barton.
Read MoreUPDATE – MCG access for commercial passenger vehicles
A solution to the ongoing saga of taxi and hire car access to the MCG during major events is a step close with Roads Minister Jaala Pulford promising to facilitate talks with Melbourne Cricket Clubn (MCC).
Read MoreSubmissions close on CPV reform inquiry
Submissions to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee closed last week with over 150 submissions received, largely from small business owners who have faced extreme financial and personal hardship following the reforms in August 2017.
Read MoreOzanam House a great boost for homelessness accommodation
“Bringing these services together into a single facility, which includes medical and support services, showers, meals and storage facilities is a great initiative that really addresses the needs of those experiencing homelessness in our city,” said Mr Barton.
Read MoreBarton welcomes community input into regional road safety
Getting the community on board to tackle the growing number of accidents, serious injuries and lives lost on roads in regional Victoria is the best way to combat the problem says Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton.
Read MoreTrout stocking of community waterways
We met with Victorian Fisheries Authority this week and was impressed with the efforts going into encouraging fishing as a sport among young people.
Read MoreJobs for disabled youth
We had a great meeting with the team at Connecting2Australia this week to learn about their programs for youth and adults with disabilities and disadvantage.
Read MoreADJOURNMENT – Diamond Valley Special Developmental School
I’ve invited the Minister for Education to visit the Diamond Valley Special Development School to meet with staff and see first hand the wonderful work that is being done there.
Read More$10,000 for homelessness
Thank you to all who make donations and spread the word on my Vinnies CEO Sleepout effort. We raised over $10,000 and a great deal of awareness. Next step? Our parliamentary inquiry into homelessness.
Read MoreMEMBERS STATEMENT – Homelessness and CEO Sleepout
There is no single fix that will end homelessness and poverty in Australia. We need sustained action, solidarity and compassion, because this is an issue that touches us all in some way.
Read MoreQUESTION – Family and Domestic Violence Funding
Many front line domestic violence services face uncertainty about funding in the new financial year, so I asked the minister to outline the funding for domestic violence initiatives in the next financial year.
Read MoreWe cannot support the reforms of the CFA
In his address to Parliament this week Mr Barton said he would not support the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2019.
Read MoreNorth East Link “lawyering up” for EES panel hearings under fire
In Parliament I have asked that the Minister for Planning, who will ultimately sign the project approvals, to assure the public that the North East Link panel hearings will be fair and transparent and that the “lawyering up” by the project managers won’t hijack the process and disadvantage the pub…
Read MoreNorth East Link public hearings
I asked the Minister for Planning to assure locals appearing at the North East Link panel hearings that it will not be an interrogation requiring them to ‘lawyer up’ and defend their point of view.
Read MoreGaps highlighted in North East Link plans
Traffic, job losses, noise, poor amenity and environment impacts are among the many issues raised by stakeholders in submissions to the main approval process for the North East Link Toll road.
Upper House MP Rod Barton, whose Eastern Metro electorate is hardest hit by the $16 billion project, says…
Read MoreSpotlight firmly on hidden homelessness in Victoria
A full investigation into the causes of and measures needed to combat the hidden problem of homelessness will be undertaken in Victoria. Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne member Rod Barton presented a motion today calling for independent analysis of the changing scale and nature of homelessness across…
Read MoreMOTION – 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…
Read MoreMEMBERS: 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,…
Read MoreADJOURNMENT: Car safety ratings
I asked the Minister for Roads to work with her federal counterparts to investigate legislation that bans the import of 1 and 2-star vehicles into Australia and investigate incentives to move Victorians into safer vehicles?
Read MoreQUESTION: 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?
Read MoreMOTION – 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…
Read MoreExpansion of free tram zone and free transport for students and seniors
Extending the free tram zone to include Melbourne’s inner city hospitals, universities, sport and arts precincts came a step closer today with a motion from Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton passed in the Legislative Council.
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