UPDATE: 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.

Rework 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. 

Victorian’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.

UPDATE – 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). 

Ozanam 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.

Barton 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.

Trout 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. 

Jobs 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.

$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.

MEMBERS 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.

QUESTION – 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.

We 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.

North 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…

Gaps 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…

Spotlight 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…

MOTION – 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…

MEMBERS: 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,…

ADJOURNMENT: 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?

QUESTION: 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?

MOTION – 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…

Expansion 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.

Family and domestic violence services funding

I asked the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence to outline funding for domestic violence initiatives int he next financial year following concerns that many are in limbo waiting for funding announcements.