Parliament – Rod Barton

Parliament News

Dec

2019 – a year in Parliament

We had an exciting and productive first year in Victoria’s legislative council, ending with an end to touting and 13 recommendations to work on to rebuild the broken commercial passenger vehicle industry.

Nov

TRANSCRIPT – Legislative Assembly – Touting Amendments to Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

Read the transcript of the passing of the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill and its touting amendments in the legislative assembly.

Nov

REPORT – Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reforms

Read the transcript or view the video of the tabling of the CPV Inquiry report in the Legislative Council.

Nov

MEMBERS – Uber kicked out of London

My members statement on Transport for London’s decision against renewing Uber’s license to operate was cut short. Read the full statement here.

Nov

Award winning intern reports

We hosted two Parliamentary Interns this year with great success. Georgia Bishop’s business case to include Doncaster in Stage 1 of the Suburban Rail Loop won the Presiding Officers Award for most outstanding intern report. Nakshi Mehta’s report on the Rowville Rail project was the runner up.

Nov

Workplace Manslaughter

I am proud to be part of a Parliament that passed legislation yesterday to make workplace manslaughter a crime. There were 136 pairs of boots on the steps of Parliament House yesterday to signify those lost in workplace accidents – my congratulations to those who have campaigned for these changes. Read…

Nov

CONSTITUENCY – Lake Knox

I asked the Minister for Planning to review the current comprehensive development plan for Lake Knox to ensure that community needs are incorporated into any development in the area.

Nov

QUESTION – North East Link report

I asked the Minister for Planning for a time line on the release of the report and recommendations from the independent advisory group’s review of submissions on the environment effects statement (EES) and plans for the North East Link Project.

Nov

Checks for independent taxi operators

I asked the Minister for Public Transport what checks are in place to ensure taxi operators who leave established booking service providers maintain all safety requirements for taxi operators, including tamper proof cameras, fixed GPS and fixed meters.

Nov

MEMBERS – Walk to the Valley 2019

My members statement this week drew the upper houses attention to the Walk to the Valley 2019 event this coming weekend to raise awareness and funds to support education to end the coward punch.

Nov

ADJOURNMENT – Increase maximum cap on taxi prices

This week I asked the Minister for Public Transport to give cabbies a pay rise and increase the maximum cap set by the Essential Services Commission on taxi fares.

Nov

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION – Westall Road Extension

I asked the Minister for Roads when construction of the long promised and much anticipated Westall Road extension will begin.

Oct

Tax obligations for fairness fund recipients

I asked the Treasurer for information about the intention of taxi and hire car industry fairness fund payments, highlighting the pressure banks put of recipients to pay down loans and the lack of tax advice.

Oct

A broader focus for homelessness – prevention and social housing

We need a broader focus to solve homelesssness that includes prevents and on wrapping services around communities to make sure everybody has a home and is able to stay in their homes.

Oct

Level crossing removal – put Coolstore Road, Croydon on the list

I’ve asked the Minister for Transport Infrastruction when the Coolstore Road level crossing at Croydon will be included in the level crossing removal program? The council and community want this one gone, and have done much of the work, so let’s get it moving while they’re working at Mooroolbark and…

Oct

COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE INDUSTRY AMENDMENT BILL 2019 – second reading speech

View and read the transcript of Rods second reading speech to the Legislative Council for the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Amendment Bill 2019 to reintroduce the offence of touting in Victoria. This bill will be debated on November 13, 2019.

Oct

North East Link: Early works begin before EES recommendations and approvals are in

I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure why early works have started at Borlase Reserve before the EES recommendations are presented or any approvals issued.

Oct

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.

Oct

Fair superannuation benefits – Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

I spoke in support of our Emergency Service Workers and the benefits provided by the Superannuation Amendment Bill 2019, but reminded the Government that their taxi reforms in 2017 have stripped the taxi industry of its superannuation.

Oct

Fairness in licence compensation – Marine and Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

I spoke on the Marine & Fisheries Amendment Bill and made note of the unfairness when compared to compensation offered to the taxi industry.

Oct

CS – SMARTbuses on suburban rail loop route

I asked the Minister for Public Transport to put a SmartBus service on the proposed Suburban Rail Loop, and if not, how will the increasing orbital demand of suburban Melbournians be met?

Oct

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.

Sep

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.

Sep

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

Sep

ADJOURNMENT – Extend Rail Loop stage 1 to include Doncaster

I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to re-evaluate stage 1 of the Suburban Rail Loop project and extend the first stage to include Doncaster and ensure that Victorians are better connected as quickly and as effectively as possible.