Budget Estimates 29 May 2013 - Nation Building - Infrastructure Investment 

Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator Scott Ludlam speaks to Geoff Hutchison on ABC 720's Morning Program about the Greens' ambitious plan to improve the safety, extent and use of the Perth Bike Network.

The Greens 2029 Perth Bike Plan is a costed package that will deliver around 6600km of safe, separated and well maintained bike lanes and paths across Perth by the year 2029.

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.

Question No. 439

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 16 March 2011:

West Australian Greens have welcomed State Government plans to trial free 4am trains on weekends to help revellers home from nightspots.

Greens Federal transport spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam praised the work of Seb Brodie and Scott Brosens who campaigned for the service.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has called on the Barnett Government to release its long over-due public transport plan, while welcoming the State Opposition's support for light rail in Perth.

"Light rail should be a component of the State Government's 20-year public transport plan - but where is it?" said Senator Ludlam. "The 20-year plan is six months overdue, and apparently went to State Cabinet over a month ago."

The Western Australian Government must take decisive action on introducing a light rail system in Perth before the public transport crisis worsens, WA Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

Senator Ludlam, the Australian Greens spokesperson for transport, said dramatic overcrowding on bus routes in the northern and eastern suburbs of Perth could be alleviated by a new tram system.

Western Australian Senator Scott Ludlam has urged the State Government to make a Perth light rail network a budget priority, with reports that a public transport strategy will go to cabinet on Monday.

"Up until now this has been a campaign of lines on maps. It is time for line items in the budget," he said. "We need a funding commitment from the State Government and an application to Infrastructure Australia to secure Federal funding for light rail."

The Greens have urged the State Government to prioritise rail and light rail development in Western Australia.

The Greens' federal spokesperson for transport, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Barnett government needed to take a comprehensive approach to solving the state's transport problems.