Doonside Railway Station

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-108815

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Doonside Railway Station

The SPEAKER:

Before we commence, for the benefit of those in the public gallery I will briefly explain the process and rationale behind this unique debate. It is unique because it enables the public to bring their concerns directly to the attention of the House. The intent of this procedure is that the petition debate will start with a speech from a member who, in most cases, will be the member who lodged the petition, followed by up to four other members, then a Minister in response and, to conclude the debate, the first speaker will speak in reply. After all members have spoken the House will vote on the question that the House take note of the petition. In most cases this question will be determined on the voices and be passed. However, if it is challenged by a member it may proceed to a division, where the bells are rung and members vote on the motion to take note of the petition by sitting on the appropriate side of the House.

The question is that the House take note of the petition.

Mr STEPHEN BALI (Blacktown) (16:02):

:26 I speak on the Doonside railway station easy access upgrade petition, more commonly known as "Give Doonie a lift". Why is the 136-year-old Doonside station upgrade a worthy priority? The Doonside station upgrade was designed in 2011 and construction was meant to be undertaken in 2012. Under the revolving door of Premiers, including O'Farrell, Baird and Berejiklian, this Government has not only cancelled the funding, but also relegated Doonside onto the never-never list. The transport department ranked Doonside fourteenth in the State in need for an easy access upgrade. The Auditor‑General also ranked Doonside highly, yet the Liberal-Nationals Government has put politics ahead of people and rejected Doonside station time after time, year after year.

Doonside station is used by the people of Doonside, Woodcroft, Bungarribee and Huntington Heights under the postcode of 2767. These areas cannot reconcile how a Liberal-Nationals Government can boast of budget surpluses and sell off $80 billion worth of public assets when Doonside station cannot get an upgrade. We have a population of 27,000 residents and the station has had no upgrade, yet stations at Waitara with 6,000 residents, Warrawee with 3,000 residents, and Normanhurst with 5,300 residents have all had their station upgrades completed ahead of Doonside.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! Your member is speaking.

Mr STEPHEN BALI:

The Labor Party cannot understand why Edgecliff will get its station upgraded ahead of Doonside, where there are 1,600 people with a disability compared to Edgecliff, which has 92. There are 4,000 residents over the age of 60 in Doonside compared to Edgecliff, which has 591. Doonside has 3,000 families with children under 15 compared to Edgecliff, which has 113. The Sydney Trains weekly data shows that 5,000 more people use Doonside station than Warrawee or Normanhurst stations, but these leafy northern suburbs have benefited from the $1.3 billion Transport Access Program. Meanwhile we cannot benefit due to a so-called needs basis. Doonside station is the closest station to a major industrial park, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Blacktown International Sports Park, Nurragingy Reserve, the new Sydney Zoo and the motorsport precinct, including the new speedway with its promised bus service.

The human factor is even more important. This railway line splits the community in two. On the north side is the Doonside Senior Citizen Centre, the Doonside Community Centre, the shopping centre, medical and dental facilities, and postal services, while the south side has the public school. There is a steep ramp to gain access to the north side of the station. For people who are recovering from medical treatments, people with disabilities, parents with prams or the elderly, the ramp poses a massive impasse, not to mention the steep staircase to gain access to the station platform. In May Benjamin Punzalan spent more than a week at Westmead Hospital after he fell off his mobility scooter while travelling down the ramp at the station and collided with a metal barrier. Benjamin wanted a new mobility scooter to replace his damaged one so that he could escort his granddaughter to the school.

Transport for NSW was investigating the matter, but the Minister can tell the department not to worry any longer. Mr Punzalan died of health complications that took hold after his accident. There are countless stories of people who have been affected. Lesley Walzak and her wheelchair-bound daughter, Lisa, are forced to drive to Blacktown to catch a train. Annette Murphy and Kim Trevithick are both here today. They cannot use Doonside station. Federal member for Chifley Ed Husic has presented 80 letters to the Human Rights Commission to investigate the New South Wales Government's obligation to deliver lifts at Doonside.

I thank everyone who has come along today. I thank the many organisations and people who helped to collect 10,000 signatures, including Blacktown council, the Blacktown City Access Advisory Committee, Carol Israel, Lucas Cayanan, Warren Hardy, Indu Harikrishna and Maanauv Sridhar. Most of all I thank Blacktown City Senior Citizen of the Year and president of the Doonside Seniors, Martha Lynch. Her members have found it difficult to use the Doonside ramp and have therefore become less active and suffer from social isolation, which may probably contribute to their earlier demise. On behalf of the residents of 2767, we call on the Government to install the lifts as a priority.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I extend a very warm welcome to residents from Doonside, Woodcroft, and Bungarribee, including councillors Carol Israel and Moninder Singh from Blacktown City Council and president of the Doonside Senior Citizens, Martha Lynch, guests of the member for Blacktown. I also extend a warm welcome to Senator Jim Molan, AO, DSC, who was sworn in at our joint sitting.

Ms ELENI PETINOS (Miranda) (16:08):

:21 The New South Wales Government is committed to making public transport more accessible for customers. The Transport Access Program is an initiative to provide a better experience for public transport customers by delivering accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure where it is needed most. The New South Wales Liberal-Nationals Government recognises the importance of improving accessible facilities and services across the network for those with disability or limited mobility. Our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2018-2022is an integral part of the new Future Transport Strategy, which will provide a framework for the State's transport needs to 2056.

The Transport Access Program is a key initiative of this plan, which demonstrates our commitment to deliver programs to improve accessibility across the transport network. Since the New South Wales Government's Transport Access Program began in 2011 more than 470 projects have been completed or initiated, including accessibility upgrades such as lifts and ramps. Almost 90 per cent of transport customer journeys begin from locations now accessible to people with a disability, those with limited mobility and parents with prams. Improved accessibility at Doonside station is being considered under an eight‑step assessment process using evidence‑based criteria.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! The Clerk will stop the clock. The member will be heard in silence. The Opposition should show respect to other members in the Chamber. A number of members have been called to order already. I will not hesitate to have members removed from the Chamber if they continue to interject.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

The first step of this process is to remove from consideration those stations that are already wheelchair accessible, where upgrade work is already underway or where upgrades are being funded and delivered through another program. The next step is to score each station against the evaluation criteria, including Opal data, an area's demographics and expected future growth. The station's proximity to schools and hospitals is also considered as those factors would generate a higher demand for accessible transport. The commercial potential of each station is then evaluated. This is followed by on the ground investigations to identify any constraints that could affect costs, such as the relocation of underground services. Cost estimates are then developed based on upgrade plans that comply with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. This step can alter the benefit-cost ratio and therefore the location's priority, which helps maximise the benefits delivered through the Transport Access Program. This ensures the best value for money in each project undertaken.

Then the prioritisation across transport networks and modes is considered. This involves identifying the opportunity to maximise value for money by prioritising stations that are adjacent to other transport modes already earmarked for upgrades, such as bus interchanges or ferry wharves. Prioritised stations are then considered against other transport programs such as safety upgrades to identify opportunities to incorporate accessibility improvements into these projects. Where this does not apply, steps are taken to ensure those projects do not create new accessibility issues. The penultimate step is gap analysis. The findings of a comprehensive disability standards audit are used to guide the priorities for future Transport Access Program funding allocations. The final step is operational interventions, which considers whether future technological or operational developments may change customer behaviour and how they access the station.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! I call the member for Wollongong to order for the first time.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

For instance, on‑demand services that pick up and drop off a customer directly at their destination may change the disability profile of a station. The early planning stages of the eight‑step process seek to anticipate all factors that may have a bearing on an upgrade. Ongoing oversight and regular reviews are undertaken to ensure that any emerging impact from other development projects or changes to funding availability are properly considered within the delivery time line.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! I call the member for Lakemba to order for the first time.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

The Government has committed more than $2 billion to the Transport Access Program since we came to office in 2011. Since coming to government, we have upgraded 58 stations to make them wheelchair accessible. Labor was only doing two access upgrades a year. It would have taken 90 years to upgrade all stations on the network. Under Labor, stations such as St James and Museum were not even accessible.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Coogee to order for the second time.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

Almost 90 per cent of transport customer journeys begin from locations now accessible to people with a disability, those with limited mobility and parents with prams. Western Sydney customers are already benefiting from major upgrades delivered at Harris Park, Toongabbie, Wentworthville, Pendle Hill and Penrith stations.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! I call the member for Coogee to order for the third time.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

A new lift was delivered at Blacktown station in 2018 and accessibility upgrades at Kingswood and North Strathfield will be completed next month. The member for Blacktown and the member for Mount Druitt will be pleased to know that a major upgrade is currently underway at Rooty Hill station, which is the station immediately after Doonside on the Western line. The upgrade at Rooty Hill includes four new lifts, a family‑accessible toilet on the platforms, a new pedestrian footbridge and stairs and larger platform canopies for better shelter from the weather.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! The Clerk will stop the clock. The member for Miranda has 15 seconds remaining. I call the member for Prospect to order for the first time.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

You can yell all you want. You hide behind your interjections.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! The member for Miranda will not respond to interjections. I am sure the people in the public gallery would like to hear the debate. Members will show some respect.

I direct the member for Coogee to remove herself from the Chamber under Standing Order 249A until the conclusion of debate on the petition.

Pursuant to sessional order the member for Coogee left the Chamber at 16:17 until the conclusion of the debate on a petition signed by 10,000 or more persons.

[]

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Prospect to order for the second time. I call the member for North Shore to order for the first time. The member for Miranda has 15 seconds left. She will be heard in silence.

Ms ELENI PETINOS:

Given the disrespect shown by those opposite during this debate, I will restate that under Labor's program it would have taken 90 years to deliver for the people of New South Wales. The grandstanding of those opposite is shameful. The people in the public gallery deserve better than the discourtesy that each and every Labor member has shown today.

Ms JODI McKAY (Strathfield) (16:15):

:44 I thank the good people of Doonside for coming here today for the debate on this petition. I welcome them to the Parliament of New South Wales. I thank also all those who participated in the petition. Collecting 10,000 signatures is not easy; it takes a lot of work. I was just talking to Mrs Martha Lynch about the effort that she put in. She told me that she would like this upgrade delivered before her ninety‑second birthday next year. I hope that the Government is listening. Many people believe in ensuring there is an accessibility upgrade at Doonside.

As the Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales, I stand with the Doonside community. Today I confirm that in 2023 if we are fortunate enough to be elected—and at this stage we are well on course to be elected—we will guarantee an upgrade to Doonside station. This is a very important upgrade. The people of Doonside have been battling for it for so long. I thank the member for Blacktown, who has brought this petition to the House. There are more than 11,000 signatures on this petition; that is a huge effort for a community. I refute some of the comments made by the Parliamentary Secretary. I guarantee that the member for Miranda has never been to Doonside or Blacktown. In fact, I imagine that she has no idea where western Sydney is. Today the Parliamentary Secretary has given a technical and sterile explanation of the process for an access upgrade.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! The member for Oatley will have an opportunity to speak in the debate.

Ms JODI McKAY:

According to the most recent statement by the Auditor‑General, all one needs to do to get an upgrade is knock on the Minister's door and ask for it. Who can knock on the Minister's door the most? The Liberal Party members. If you are in a Liberal electorate, your area's population size, needs and community advocacy do not matter. If you are a Liberal MP and you knock on the Minister's door you will get an upgrade, even if you do not need it. That is what this Government does. The Government favours areas of Sydney that do not deserve or need an upgrade. Do not take my word for it; take the Auditor-General's word for it. The Parliamentary Secretary has had the hide to say today that the people in the gallery do not need an upgrade. I say to each and every person who has made the trek to Parliament House today that we stand with them. We made a commitment during the by‑election when the member for Blacktown was elected, we made a commitment in 2019 and today we make another commitment to stand by the people of Doonside and give them an upgraded station.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Upper Hunter will come to order.

Ms JODI McKAY:

My greatest hope is that the Government will deliver this upgrade. In that case those on this side of the Chamber will praise the Government for an appropriate decision based on the evidence.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Miranda will come to order.

Ms JODI McKAY:

At this stage that is not going to happen because, as we heard from the Parliamentary Secretary, she has no idea of the needs of the community or their advocacy. She has no idea of how many people use and need that station. People who have young children and older people need a lift so they do not have to use the stairs. These are the people Labor hears, and we stand with all of them. I thank them for coming here today. Their voices have been heard.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I am aware that there are strongly held views on the matter that is being debated today. Parliamentary debate allows those with opposing views to express themselves freely without interference. I therefore ask that those in the gallery to refrain from clapping or distracting the debate in any way, including verbally or visually.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (16:22):

:21 I thank everyone from Doonside in the gallery for making the trip to Parliament House today. I welcome each and every one of them. Government members are sorry that they had to wait 16 years under a Labor government for the upgrades they wanted but still did not get them. Since 2011 the New South Wales Government has invested more than $2 billion in the Transport Access Program, with more than 470 projects either completed or underway across New South Wales. This Government is delivering on its commitment through its Transport Access Program, an initiative to provide a better experience for public transport customers by delivering modern, accessible, secure, integrated transport infrastructure. The provision of an accessibility upgrade at Doonside will no doubt be considered as part of the program's process.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Prospect will come to order.

Mr MARK COURE:

This Government has built more than 58 wheelchair‑accessible stations since 2011.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Gosford will come to order.

Mr MARK COURE:

I am talking about stations like Oatley, Bankstown, Berala, Blacktown, Concord West, Croydon, Flemington, Glenfield, Homebush, Ingleburn, Leura, Marrickville, Minto, Toongabbie, Sydenham, Sefton, Quakers Hill, Wentworth Falls, Wentworthville and Windsor. I have an announcement. Next Friday North Strathfield is being opened. Those stations are all in Labor electorates. The people opposite had let down the people of Doonside for 16 years but this Government is getting on with the job of getting stations right across the New South Wales network upgraded and rebuilt.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Bankstown to order for the first time.

Mr MARK COURE:

The people in Narwee and Oatley, in my electorate, were waiting for decades under Labor.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Bankstown to order for the second time.

Mr MARK COURE:

Narwee had a Labor member of Parliament at State and Federal levels for decades but this Government got on with the job of rebuilding and upgrading Narwee station. The member for Lakemba should be happy.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Lakemba will come to order.

Mr MARK COURE:

He should say, "Thank you, Mark."

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The Clerk will stop the clock. The member for Oatley will resume his seat. I ask the member for Oatley to direct his comments through the Chair. He is not helping the civility in the Chamber. I call the member for Prospect to order for the third time. I remind members that they could be here all afternoon if they do not come to order. Members will listen in silence. The member for Oatley has the call. He will direct his comments through the Chair.

Mr MARK COURE:

At the end of the day, the people in the gallery are not petitioning the Government, they are petitioning the Opposition for failing to deliver an upgrade for Doonside over 16 years. This Government is getting on with the job of rebuilding and upgrading every one of our stations. It does not matter if they are in Labor, National or Liberal electorates; it does not matter where they are.

Ms Prue Car:

Have you ever been to Doonside?

Mr MARK COURE:

I have once, twice. As I mentioned before, this Government is investing over $2 billion in this program, with over 470 projects either completed or underway right across New South Wales. We on this side of the House represent the Government, which is delivering station upgrades, train upgrades and commuter car parks right across New South Wales.

The SPEAKER:

The House will come to order.

Mr CHRIS MINNS (Kogarah) (16:28):

:28 I congratulate the member for Blacktown on organising this petition.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Opposition members will cease interjecting. The member for Lakemba will show respect for his colleague and will not argue with the Chair. I call the member for Lakemba to order for the second time.

Mr CHRIS MINNS:

I thank the people of western Sydney who are in the gallery today to fight for their community. The Leader of the Opposition has laid out the case. This lift needs to be built; we cannot wait any longer. The decent thing for the Government to do today would be to announce that it will undertake this upgrade now, not in 2023. This Government could have approved the lift and got it done, but it has not done that. Let me make it clear, the taxpayers of western Sydney want this built. The people in the gallery today want their fair share. You would think that the Government, in the ninth year of its life, would have taken the opportunity today to announce this well‑needed lift.

The people of western Sydney are not being greedy but after a lifetime of paying taxes they expected they would get their fair share of government services. That does not seem to be the case. They are entitled to feel that the system is rigged. Doonside station has 24,000 weekly commuters compared to the tiny Hawkesbury River station with just 2,800 commuters, yet Hawkesbury River gets a lift. The tiny Clarendon station, in a Liberal electorate, has just 900 weekly commuters—that is 128 passengers a day and the lift would be used around 10 times a day—yet Clarendon station gets a lift. Do not listen to the Government's weak response to the Transport Access Program, listen to the Auditor‑General, who said:

Clarendon Station had consistently scored the lowest of all Sydney Trains interchanges on the assessment criteria and Transport for NSW did not include it [for consideration for funding]

This is not the Transport Access Program, it is the Lifts for Liberals program or the Elevators for Elections program. Hawkesbury River train station is in the electorate of Matt Kean. Perhaps there is a clue as to why these stations are getting prioritised in an article from 18 June last year. The title of the article is "Sorry Matt, you look like an idiot". The article states that Mr Kean was caught bragging to residents that Treasurer Perrottet ordered a station to jump the queue because he thought it was in his electorate. Mr Kean said, "I had to break the news to him, it's actually in mine." No wonder the Treasurer had to flee his seat. He was pork-barrelling the wrong electorate. That is the problem with the Liberal Party today. At least we know how Stephen Bali can get money for Doonside station—he just has to tell the Treasurer that it is in his electorate. The Treasurer is 24 years old and he has already had three seats and he has not lived in any of them!

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! The member for North Shore will come to order.

Mr CHRIS MINNS:

He would not know what suburbs were located in his electorate. It has been a shocking week for western Sydney transport. In the last three months the Government has privatised Ryde and Parramatta buses. It has proposed the closure of Villawood, Carramar and Leightonfield train stations. There is severe overcrowding on the Parramatta line—150 per cent during the peak hour. The Parramatta light rail stage 2 was promised, then cancelled. The Sydney Metro West being delivered in the 2020s was promised, then cancelled.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Terrigal will come to order.

Mr CHRIS MINNS:

A new metro for the aerotropolis from St Marys, to be opened before the airport, was promised and then cancelled. That is the hypocrisy of the modern Liberal Party.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Londonderry will come to order.

Mr CHRIS MINNS:

It does one thing in its own electorates and something completely different in others. I will read an anonymous quote from 2006 that I think really—

Mr Paul Toole:

Anonymous? Oh, here we go.

Mr CHRIS MINNS:

I will reveal who the author is. The quote states:

It is easy to miss a train when there are no lifts and one is disabled or elderly. Many people are simply not capable of walking up or walking down a flight of stairs to change platforms.

Who said that in 2006? It was the now Premier of New South Wales. What an absolute hypocrite. At the end of nine years of a Liberal government, what is its legacy for western Sydney? Nothing but toll roads, sweltering classrooms and overcrowded trains. That is its legacy for western Sydney. There is a better way but it does not involve the Liberal Party neglecting the heart of Sydney, western Sydney. I say to the people in the gallery we will keep fighting for the infrastructure you deserve, those opposite will keep ignoring you. You have got to vote them out.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I remind the member for Bankstown she is already on two calls. I am sure the member for Blacktown in reply will want to be heard in silence. The member for Bathurst and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads has the call. He will be heard in silence.

Mr PAUL TOOLE (BathurstMinister for Regional Transport and Roads) (16:34):

—:20 I begin my contribution by saying that I am representing the Minister for Transport and Roads. The Minister has been ill and has not been in the Parliament for the entirety of the day. As the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, I take the opportunity to represent him.

Ms Tania Mihailuk:

That's taken a minute.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

I am sorry that the people in the gallery have had to listen to the behaviour of those opposite because as a community they have done the right thing. They have put in the time and effort, have gone out and organised a petition with over 10,000 signatures and have come here today to present it to the Parliament.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Bankstown to order for the third time.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

I thank everybody who has been a part of that, everyone who has signed the petition and everyone who is here today for this very important debate.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Londonderry to order for the first time.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

I want to point out a couple of things. This Government is committed to delivering better public transport that is accessible to all customers. We have been developing better public transport for the frail, for the aged, for people with disabilities and older people across this State.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! Members will be removed from the Chamber if they do not come to order.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

This Government has delivered on the commitment to continue with our Transport Access Program. We are delivering a modern, secure and integrated transport system, which had not been delivered when those opposite were last in government.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Port Stephens will come to order.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

This is something that they failed to do. They failed to look after people who have limited mobility. They failed to look after people in our communities with disability. Our vision also includes a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and we are looking at planning for the future of transport accessibility across the State.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Wollongong will come to order.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

There has been something like $2 billion delivered through this program since 2011.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Maitland will come to order.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

That equates to an upgrade to 58 stations. When I listen to those opposite, they criticise what this Government has done. But I will tell you what they were doing when they were last in government.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Bankstown will come to order.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

When they were last in government they were delivering two upgrades a year. We have done 58 upgrades already. If those opposite were still in government they would have only delivered a total of 16 upgrades.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I call the member for Londonderry to order for the second time.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

The Leader of the Opposition came into the Chamber, made her speech, did her stunt and then left.

Ms Jodi McKay:

Here I am.

Mr PAUL TOOLE:

I apologise. The Leader of the Opposition is not going to be in Government in 2023. She should not even be the leader because those opposite have failed the people of this State. This Government has already made sure that 90 per cent of our stations now have accessibility. We are delivering for western Sydney and for the people of this State and we will continue to provide better transport access programs.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Blue Mountains will come to order. The member for Oatley will resume his seat.

Mr STEPHEN BALI (Blacktown) (16:37):

:54 In reply: I thank the members for the electorates of Strathfield, Miranda, Oatley, Kogarah and Bathurst for their contributions to this debate. The Government has talked about 470 projects, $2 billion and an upgrade to 58 stations. I do not know how the people of Doonside could feel good about that when our project was earmarked to be built in 2012 and those opposite cancelled it. The Government has slashed Doonside from nine budgets in a row. Labor has gone through the numbers. Those opposite just do not listen. They do not listen to the number of people—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

The member for Oatley will come to order.

Mr STEPHEN BALI:

Something like 25,000 people use our station each week, yet the Government upgrades a station that only about 900 people use per week. What the Government has done is a complete disgrace. It has cancelled, cancelled, cancelled. It talks about access for all—except those who live in the Doonside area. It is unfortunate the Minister cannot be here today. He is probably pumping up the tyres on the broken-down trams.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

Order! I call the member for Drummoyne to order for the first time.

Mr STEPHEN BALI:

I sat in this Chamber when Minister Constance spoke passionately about the need for the duplication of the Pacific Highway to reduce crashes. The Minister stated, "I will never give up the fight for this. It's a major factor in my decision to remain in State Parliament." The Minister should know that my personal passion is Doonside station. When I first became a candidate at the by-election I asked Luke Foley at the time, "Is Doonside going be to upgraded? If not, I won't run." It was great to hear the current Leader of the Opposition, Jodi McKay, reaffirm that promise today. My mother asked me on her deathbed to make sure that I keep fighting for Doonside station, and I will fight to the end. It is time to deliver. Doonside deserves a lift.

Petition noted.