UPDATE – NELP lawyers response to hearing submissions

After seven weeks of hearings, more than 850 public submissions and thousands of pages of arguments from lawyers, the independent planning panel examining the government’s North Eastlink Toll Road Project has retired to prepare its report on the project’s future.

Through its lawyers, the North…

Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2019

I spoke in support this bill because it will ensure owner-drivers and forestry contractors will no longer be so vulnerable to exploitation or forced into unsafe practices by economic pressures down the supply chain.

SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP – Include Doncaster in stage 1

I’ve asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan to reevaluate Stage 1 and extend the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop to include Doncaster to ensure that Victorians are better connected as quickly and effectively as possible. 

MEMBERS – Can Homelessness – Wantirna South Primary School

In my members statement this week I thanked all who are contributing to the welfare of the homeless in our state and congratulated nine-year-old Louisa Bishop from Wantirna South Primary School for her contribution to the Knox Council initiative in August called Can Homelessness

Tighten up on CPV safety says Barton

We need to tighten up safety across all commercial passenger vehicles following recent reports of rape and sexual assault by men posing as Uber drivers.

“We’ve created an unsafe culture that encourages young people especially to get into unmarked vehicles for a cheap ride home.”

MOTION – Murray Darling Basin Plan

I voted against a motion to dump the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which was defeated in the house.

QUESTION – Wodonga V/Line services

I asked the Minister for Public Transport what is being done to fix the very poor V/Line train services to Wodonga.

NEL HEARING – Put community first in North East Link planning

In his presentation to the NEL advisory panel on Monday Mr Barton asked them to consider five areas of community concern in its recommendations to the Minister – enforceable EPA construction guidelines, better solutions for the Bulleen Industrial Zone, better protection of the Green Ribbon, the inclusion…

Rod’s presentation to the advisory panel

Rod presented to the North East Link expert advisory panel on Monday, September 9. His presentation focused on five key areas and stressed the importance of putting the needs of the community first.

Make EPA construction guidelines mandatory on North East Link says Barton

I will address the government’s expert advisory panel for the North East Link on Monday morning (September 9 at 9.45am) and will call for Victoria’s Environmental guidelines for major infrastructure construction works to be mandatory requirements on the project.

VHA Airport parking update

Plans are in discussion to improve VHA parking at Melbourne Airport by combining the VHA and 10 minute pickup areas to increase available spaces from 110 to 400. 

ADJOURNMENT – VH series plates

Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (19:48): The matter I raise tonight is for the Minister for Roads, Minister Pulford. The absence of VH series numberplates from VicRoads’ menu is a familiar song, and I think I sing it well. So tonight I will sing it again. In March I asked the minister why VicRoads had stopped releasing VH plates to hire car operators in Victoria. At that time hire car operators bringing on new vehicles were unable to get new VH plates. Minister, you assured me then that they would be reinstated; however, they are still not available. I have repeatedly received complaints that VicRoads will not release new VH plates and that operators upgrading their current vehicle and attempting to put the original VHA plate onto a new vehicle have been told their existing VH plates must be returned to VicRoads.

VH plates are a brand in the marketplace. They signify a professional level of service, and in an incredibly crowded commercial passenger vehicle marketplace they have become even more important. Traditionally they have been used to identify professional operators for exclusive access to the forecourts of our major hotels and access to VIP areas and many of Melbourne’s major events. They provide passengers with a premium level of service and are a source of pride among professional drivers. VH plates mean something and they have a value. So I ask the minister again: can you reinstate the VH plates?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (20:04):  … Finally, Mr Barton raised a matter for my attention, a matter that I know Mr Barton has worked hard on in his time as a member of this house. This is around the VH plates. As Mr Barton indicated in his adjournment comments this evening, he first brought this to my attention in March. I undertook to go and see what could be done. This is something that has occurred as a consequence of some of the reforms around commercial passenger vehicles.

What I can indicate to the house and to Mr Barton today is that the VH plates will be made available again by October of this year to any registered commercial passenger vehicle at a cost of $350 a plate. That cost is just a straight cost recovery exercise, so that is minimising the impact for people who want to buy those plates but also recognising that there are not enormous numbers. Mr Barton made some observations when he spoke about the brand identity that is VH plates, and I know this is something very important to him. VHD to VHZ will be made available.

Just for completeness in responding to Mr Barton, I indicate to the house that the government will be removing access to the special purpose lanes for VH-plated cars, so that everyone is nice and clear about the rules and how that all works. I take the opportunity to congratulate Mr Barton on his very effective and determined advocacy on this particular question.

Doncaster busway plan is just ‘box ticking’ and needs urgent review: Barton

This week Mr Barton asked the Government to review its current plans and ensure the delivery of the rapid transit busway to Doncaster ahead of other works starting.

“This Busway must provide a practical alternative to our growing north eastern suburb commuters whose daily commute will be effected…

QUESTION – North East Link – SMART taxpayers design

I asked the Planning Minister to ensure the SMART taxpayer design be given consideration by bidders to allow them to present the best final design for the North East Link.

Community input into final design for North East link

Community design solutions need consideration in the development of a final design for the North East Link. I’ve asked the Planning Minister to ensure the needs of the community and their input be incorporated.

Births, Deaths & Marriages Amendment Bill 2019

I read a letter in Parliament from the mother of a trans gender child asking that we support this bill and give recognition, dignity, privacy to our small but ever-present trans and gender-diverse community.

Rezoning new home for Bulleen businesses

I’ve asked the Planning Minister to undertake the required rezoning of the Websters Road site in Templestowe in a timely manner to allow the council to subdivide the area to accommodate businesses from Bulleen.

NORTH EAST LINK – Rezoning hopes for Bulleen businesses

I asked Minister Wynne in Parliament today to undertake the required rezoning of the site at Websters Road as soon as possible to allow Manningham Council to subdivide the area to accommodate businesses from the soon to be displaced Bulleen Industrial Zone.

Single safety test needed for taxi and rideshare vehicles

Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton has asked the Minister for Public Transport to implement a single annual safety inspection standard for commercial passenger vehicles.