19th Apr 2016, 6:49 PM – Senate Motions - Public Transport - Prioritise funding

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Janet Rice (Vic), which means it was rejected.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Turnbull Government is yet to commit funding to any major public transport projects in our urban centres,

(ii) the recent audit of East West Link federal funding showed significant flaws in the Liberal Government's approvals and funding decisions for that proposed project, and that there are strikingly similar features of the funding decisions for WestConnex and Perth Freight Link toll roads,

(iii) communities in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne are standing up and saying they do not want more polluting toll roads pushed through their urban neighbourhoods, and

(iv) investment in well designed public transport infrastructure is a more effective, economic, equitable and less polluting means of tackling congestion than new toll road projects; and

(b) calls on the Government to withdraw funding for WestConnex and the Perth Freight Link, and prioritise funding for public transport in our major urban centres before polluting toll roads that further embed car dependence in our cities.