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.

International Women’s Day 2019

This week we celebrate International Women’s Day. There are many great events being held throughout the Eastern Metro Region.  The theme of this year’s IWD is #BalanceforBetter. 

Duplication of the Hurstbridge Rail Line

I ask the minister to expedite second-stage upgrade work on the Hurstbridge line and extend the line duplication to include sections between Montmorency and Diamond Creek.

Legislation passed to improve nurse and midwife patient ratios

I rise to express my support for the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2018.

Extended CityLink tolls a slap for small business

Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton says small businesses will bear the brunt of extending CityLink tolls to cover the cost of the West Gate Tunnel project.

Barton calls for reintroduction of touting laws

Increasing numbers of drivers touting for work is a direct result of deregulation of the taxi industry according to Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Rod Barton.

Motion – review of Commercial Passenger Vehicle reforms

I am pleased to present the amendments to this motion for a number of reasons, but particularly because it is the main reason I was elected into this place and I think it is one of the most important jobs I need to do here.

Question – $1 trip levy

I want to talk about the $1 levy on all taxi and hire car trips flagged to fund the transition payments for licence-holders in the taxi and hire car industry, for the financial compensation.

Trip levy non-compliance is rife says Barton

The $1 per trip levy to fund transition payments is an overly burdensome administrative requirement with widespread non-compliance, according to Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters party leader Rod Barton.

Taxi industry urged to join  Uber class action

Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters leader Rod Barton  is urging taxi and hire car drivers, operators and licence owners to get on board a Maurice Blackburn class action against Uber.

Black Saturday anniversary

It grieves me to think back on the horror of the firestorms that raged through our communities just 10 years ago. For many this is a private time. We will all grieve the losses in different ways, some in public services, some with private tears. I know there are many who would prefer to forget.

Welcome new citizens

I am pleased to rise today to welcome the newest members of our community who became citizens of Australia on this previous Australia Day.

Distracted drivers a road hazard says Rod Barton

Distracted drivers are the greatest hazard on our roads says Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Rod Barton.

Unfinished business for taxi and car hire industry

Addressing some unfinished business for the taxi and car hire industry will be a priority for newly elected member for eastern metropolitan region Rod Barton. 

In his maiden speech to the legislative council today Mr Barton expressed the devastation of many thousands of families who faced the loss…