Renew and expand the $40m National Bike Paths Projects program

The Greens propose that:

·         the $40m National Bike Paths Projects program introduced as part of the economic stimulus package be doubled to $80m and become an annualised program to provide local government authorities with substantial, sustained and targeted funding for bicycle infrastructure;

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (18:05): I have some comments to add to those of Senator Nash and I find myself in complete agreement. This inquiry was initiated by Senator Christine Milne. It took three referrals through this chamber before that important piece of work was actually accepted for an inquiry. Senators Milne and Siewert and the other members of the committee then spent a long period of time working on this important question.

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (10:35): These bills-the Shipping Reform (Tax Incentives) Bill 2012, the Shipping Registration Amendment (Australian International Shipping Register) Bill 2012, the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill 2012, the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2012 and the Tax Laws Amendment (Shipping Reform) Bill 2012-have been a long time in the making.

Each of the vignettes below gives you a window into a specific piece of the gargantuan and incomprehensible puzzle that is the Commonwealth Government. There are some good wins hidden here – the Perth Light Rail project may be on the threshold of a breakthrough, there are some pleasant surprises in the early uptake figures for the NBN, and SBS are over the moon at the funding boost we’ve been advocating for.

Senator LUDLAM: Were you folk in the room before when I put some questions about the Perth light rail funding or the Perth light rail proposal to Mr Deegan?

Wednesday 23 May 2012 - Budget Estimates - Rural and Regional Committee

Airservices Australia

Senator LUDLAM: I have a couple of questions on derailments on the Central Australia railway line. I understand this is something that the ATSB has had a fair bit to do with in the last two years or so. You investigated a derailment on the central line on Thursday, 25 November 2010. Your report indicates that issues were identified and brought to the attention of the company, by which we mean the company that has a 50-year lease on that track. I have had a quick look at the photos on your site.

Wednesday 23 May 2012 - Budget  Estimates - Rural and Regional Committee

Department of Infrastructure and Transport - Policy and Research incorporating the BITRE

The Barnett Government's failure to include project funding for light rail in the State budget shows a lack of foresight, the WA Greens said today.

The Greens national spokesperson for transport, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, questioned whether the Barnett Government took the promise it made 18 months ago to bring light rail to Perth within a decade seriously.

As the IMF predicts oil prices will double over the next decade, the State Government's slow-moving approach to light rail and public transport investment will leave West Australians acutely vulnerable to rising fuel costs, the Greens (WA) warned today.

Greens national transport spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the Federal Government had allocated four million dollars to WA for light rail despite the Barnett Government apparently neglecting to include the project on its list of priorities for federal funding.