Transport

Greens strongly back transport industry call

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Thursday 19th August 2010, 11:51am
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The Australian Greens strongly back calls from four transport groups today for a comprehensive inquiry into Australia's transport system focussing on congestion, safety, environmental degradation, climate change and energy security.

The Australasian Railways Association, Bus Industry Confederation, Cycling Promotion Fund and International Association of Public Transport call for a Productivity Commission report is in line with Greens policy to establish an advisory committee reporting to Infrastructure Australia to examine exactly these issues.

"The Greens have long been parliament's strongest advocates for re-thinking Australia's attitude to transport," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Our Safe Climate Bill, released last year, included a bill to set up an advisory committee reporting to Infrastructure Australia about the social and environmental costs of our current transport system as well as the best way to put it on a safer, more reliable and more sustainable footing.

‘Buckle up’ overdue on rural school buses

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Saturday 14th August 2010, 12:58pm
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Thousands of children across Australia would be made safer everyday if governments delivered on their promises for seatbelts on rural school buses, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne said today.

Senator Milne's announcement was made as numerous football teams show support for Victoria's ‘Buckle Up' campaign this weekend by wearing seatbelt sashes on their jumpers.

"Whether you are driving two minutes to the shops or driving all day, wearing a seatbelt is a major aspect of reducing our road toll.

Public transport key to vibrant city

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Monday 9th August 2010, 12:14pm
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Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne, and Greens Minister for Alternative Transport, Nick McKim joined forces today to commit to an improved and innovative public transport system for Tasmania.

"A Hobart Light Rail public transport system that links the state's capital with the northern suburbs will free up time and increase the attractiveness of Hobart to young people who realise that car commuting is a time waster.

"Texting, using a mobile phone and laptops are all common on work commutes and are possible on public transport. Research by experts such as Richard Florida show that it is the reason busy young people see it as a preferred choice providing flexibility and greater personal freedom and less expense.

Launch of Greens' 'Towards Zero' road safety strategy

Photo Gallery | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Wednesday 4th August 2010, 3:07pm
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Click one of the thumbnails to view the gallery.

Greens Road Safety strategy will save lives

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 3rd August 2010, 12:07pm
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For too long, the Commonwealth government has placed the responsibility of reducing road deaths and injuries firmly in the laps of state and local governments, says Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne.

"Today, the Greens will address the needless deaths on our roads with the launch of our ‘Towards Zero' national road safety strategy.

"Our strategy aims to radically reduce road deaths through joint, cooperative actions between all government tiers, advocacy groups and road users.

Greens launch Perth Light Rail

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Saturday 31st July 2010, 4:16pm
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Australian Greens Senators for WA Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam will today launch a comprehensive plan for servicing the Perth metropolitan area with light rail.

Labor steals from solar to pay for old clunkers

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Saturday 24th July 2010, 12:42pm
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Transport emissions are a major contributor to greenhouse gasses and need to be addressed, however stealing from the solar industry to pay cash for clunkers is the right policy but the wrong purse, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne said today

"Prime Minister Gillard's refusal to legislate for a carbon tax means that she does not have a source of funding for climate initiatives and it is completely wrong to take money out of Australia's renewable energy future to pay to take clunkers off the road.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 1st June 2010, 9:31am
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Senator LUDLAM-I have a couple of questions about flight deck duty time and the definition thereof for aircrew and for people flying planes. I am going to declare an interest before I start this line of questioning because I fly a lot and I am really interested to know the degree to which the folk flying the planes get time to rest. My understanding is that operators on Qantas and Jetstar in particular use a different definition of flight deck duty time to that required by Civil Aviation Order 48 General Exemption, CAO 48E. Can you confirm for me whether or not that is the case?

Rail Manufacturing in Australia

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 12:00am
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Senator LUDLAM-You can talk about freeways, too? I am just wondering whether you are aware that UGL Rail, which is Australia's largest provider of rolling stock, is in the process of closing the Broadmeadow facility near Newcastle, which is going to shed about 200 jobs and more indirect jobs. What action, if any, has the government taken? Can you point us to initiatives that you have taken to retain rail manufacturing in Australia, particularly in regional areas, and either reflect directly on Broadmeadow or in general?

Electric Vehicles

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 12:00am
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Senator LUDLAM-To begin, can you give us an idea of your mandate, because we have a number of different agencies and different folk running around thinking about infrastructure and surface transport policy. We have Infrastructure Australia making project-by-project assessments and we have got the Major Cities Unit doing more high-level work about modelling of where our communities are going. Can you just define for me precisely the nature of your mandate and then I will target my questions accordingly?

Mr Mrdak-This is a division in the department which essentially has three major streams. The first is maritime and shipping policy, including the administration of the coastal shipping regulatory regime. The second is what we would call our land transport reform agenda, which is principally focused on single national market reform; rail, heavy vehicles and maritime regulatory reform; and also the productivity reform agenda around heavy vehicle pricing and regulatory reform of land transport. The third area is in relation to vehicle standards. We have responsibility for essentially the Australian standards in relation to vehicles coming into the Australian market.

Senator LUDLAM-If I ask you about electric vehicles, will you send me off to industry, innovation and science and those sorts of folk?