MEMBERS – Free tram services

The inquiry to extend the free tram zone is generating much debate, but students and seniors are getting behind my motion to get people out of cars and onto public transport.

CPV driver accreditation

I asked the Minister for Public Transport whether the current register of accredited commercial passenger vehicle drivers was accurate and whether audits were done to ensure all meet requirements of regular police checks. Her answer is attached.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.