EMERSON’S FAILURES TO HURT QUEENSLAND COMMUTERS

Media Release.

 

The Newman Government’s decision to walk away from its responsibility for planning and delivering an efficient bus network is a significant step backwards for public transport in South East Queensland.
Ms Trad said while the Government’s TransLink review was deeply flawed, the decision to hand over control to Brisbane’s City Council (BCC) is not in the long-term interests of Queensland commuters.
“Scott Emerson has done what Campbell Newman and Graham Quirk have wanted for years, he has destroyed TransLink and handed total responsibility for buses in Brisbane back to BCC,” Ms Trad said.
“There is no doubt that strong, local community campaigns were extremely successful in halting the Newman Government’s plan to slash local bus routes.
“However, we must all remain vigilant for future cuts to services and ensure any proposed changes create a more efficient and integrated transport network.”
Ms Trad said the Transport Minister’s judgement had to be called into question.
“Clearly, Minister Emerson could not handle the heat from the public backlash and instead of stepping up to the job, he simply gave up and walked away,” Ms Trad said.
“Now the question must be asked – how much tax-payer’s money was spent on creating and promoting this Minister’s failed review?”
Ms Trad said that at every stage of the bus review Scott Emerson has made the wrong call:

• The Minister failed to understand the importance of off-peak services, particularly for pensioners, students and low-income families. 
   
• The Minister failed to allow enough time for proper community consultation in December last year; 
   
• The Minister failed to properly engage BCC in the formative parts of the review;
  
  
• The Minister failed to provide enough consultation time from the beginning, extending the consultation time only a week after it was announced; 
   
• The Minister failed to listen to feedback in a methodical way, instead announcing a series of disorganised backflips on individual routes, including some in his own and the Premier’s electorate;
  
  
• The Minister failed to take ministerial accountability, blaming TransLink, which is part of his own Department, for getting the review wrong;
  
  
• The Minister failed to sit down with concerned commuters and BCC to work through issues in a mature and considered way, instead he gave up and told BCC they could fix the bus review and gave them the powers to do it.
  
  

Ms Trad said Minister Emerson would regret his hasty, ill-considered decision to hand transport planning powers back to BCC.
“Ultimately it will be Queensland commuters who will pay the price for Scott Emerson’s lapse in judgement yesterday.”
Ms Trad called on the Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to use his new powers responsibly and consider the whole network when making planning decision for bus services in the future.
“Graham Quirk needs to understand that we can’t have a proper integrated transport network if the different transport modes – train, bus and ferry – are competing against each other,” Ms Trad said.
“Now is the time for Graham Quirk to do what Scott Emerson failed to – he needs to consider other modes of transport as well as the needs of Queensland’s most vulnerable who rely on these services every day.”