Bus Industry Taskforce

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-133543

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Bus Industry Taskforce

Ms YASMIN CATLEY (SwanseaMinister for Police and Counter-terrorism) (13:26:23):

— I move:

That this House:

(1)Notes that the Government has launched the Bus Industry Taskforce, to address the devastating impacts privatisation has had on networks across the State, including in the electorate of Swansea.

(2)Notes that constituents have consistently contacted the Swansea electorate office to express their discontent with the termination of the former 350 and 349 service, as well as to advise of service cuts and cancellations.

(3)Congratulates the Government for taking this significant step towards rectifying the issues to improve our local services.

In 2015 those opposite, without the support of the community, privatised Newcastle buses.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery):

The Clerk will stop the clock. I inform the Minister that we will continue with this motion after lunch.

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

That is great news, because we have a lot to say. I have many supporters and they all have a lot to say about this motion. The former Premier and transport Minister promised that the privatisation would deliver to the Hunter "a world-class transport network". Nothing could have been further from the truth. The network overseen by those opposite was and still is a basket case. The privatisation has resulted in cuts to services, longer travel times and children being left at the side of the road, unable to get to school. Since the privatisation of the Newcastle transport network, I have lobbied to restore the services cut by the Liberals. I wrote to multiple former transport Ministers, lobbying for the return of the 350 service.

This much-loved service ran directly between Swansea Heads and Newcastle and was used by workers, students and other travellers. It was cut by members opposite as soon as the service was privatised. Instead, passengers were required, originally, to transfer to three and then two different bus services. It has improved slightly in that commuters now transfer to only one additional service. But it is still unacceptable. Time and again members opposite have turned their backs on our communities and refused to restore those vital services.

Labor was elected to fix our broken transport system, and that is exactly what it is doing. In May the Government announced the creation of the Bus Industry Taskforce, which is to make recommendations to improve the reliability, quality and effectiveness of bus services right across New South Wales and definitely in the Hunter. The task force will make recommendations to the Minister to improve the performance of bus operators. It will examine the service delivery and asset management models, including the contract and performance management framework, transparency in activities and the related capabilities required; service planning, including equality of service—that is a notion that was never considered—right across the community and related community engagement; infrastructure and technology that supports the effective delivery of bus services, including the transition to clean energy; arrangements relating to the employment of drivers, mechanics and other key personnel; and other steps to improve performance, including legislative amendments, regulatory changes, and contractual and other related actions.

The task force will also consider the parliamentary committee's report into the privatisation of buses. The task force has already provided advice to the Minister for Transport to address the bus driver shortage. That includes convening a bus industry round table to bring forward practical solutions to the workforce shortages and suggestions to improve bus service delivery, making it quicker, easier—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery):

In accordance with the earlier resolution of the House, debate is interrupted. I shall leave the chair until 2.30 p.m.

Ms YASMIN CATLEY (SwanseaMinister for Police and Counter-terrorism) (14:31:22):

— The action taken by the Government in setting up the task force has already been quite successful. I was so pleased to join my good friend the Minister for Transport at the Newcastle bus passenger forum last week. How refreshing it was to see a transport Minister actually engaging with our communities! The forum was so well supported by the community, who are passionate about restoring our bus services and delivering for our community once again. I met with a lot of people from the electorate of Swansea who relayed to me the devastation that the privatisation of Newcastle bus transport has caused in their lives.

John, who lives at Marks Point, has a disability and works at Warabrook. He used to be picked up at 5.30 a.m. on the 350—I have mentioned the 350 already—and he would arrive at work a bit before seven o'clock, and he would get home in the evenings at about 4.30 p.m. His life has changed considerably. He now often has to get a taxi to get his workplace in Warabrook. In addition to that, on occasion he is now getting home after six o'clock. That is just one example. I provided hundreds of examples to the former Government, which literally took a "Talk to the hand" approach. The people in the community that I represent have been so let down, and I am so proud to be part of a government that is doing exactly the opposite.

There are so many horror stories since the service was privatised. Elderly people have been unable to get to local shopping centres. In the area around Valentine, Croudace Bay and Eleebana, there is no bus after 6.00 p.m. People there cannot go to church at Belmont on a Saturday night unless they get a lift with another parishioner, because church starts at 6.00 p.m. It has changed people's lives profoundly, and there was never any consideration for the people who use the service. As the Minister has told us time and again, the Liberal Government of yesteryear put money and profit before people. It has changed people's lives to such an extent that they are socially isolated from their communities and no longer participating as they did. The number of attendees at bingo at the 16-foot sailing club has reduced considerably. Some might laugh and think that is not a big deal, but seeing the same people each week is a big deal to those for whom it is their one outing. They are hugely important to our communities.

I am so proud that our Minister for Transport is in our community having genuine conversations with the people who are affected and saying to them, "We are going to try to change this mess". The Minister brought with her a team of professionals from Transport for NSW, all engaging with people and talking to them about their issues and how we can fix the problem. I am so excited to be part of a government that is actually working on the ground and doing the job that we said we would do. That is truly amazing, and my community are just so goddamned relieved.

Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (14:35:22):

I lead on behalf of the Opposition in debate on the motion. We oppose the motion, but I thank the member for Swansea for moving it. For 12 years members opposite were in opposition, and the first motion that they move in government is a big pat on the back for the Government establishing a task force. The member for Swansea waited eight long years to finally get into government and moved a motion saying, "We are doing a task force". There is no big public policy and no big change, just the Government outsourcing that decision to a task force.

Business PaperThe Daily Telegraph

It is not just the member for Swansea. The also includes the member for Granville giving the Government a pat on the back for a review of timetables, the member for Heathcote giving it a pat on the back for a review of the transport system, the member for Coogee giving it a pat on the back for the bus task force, my good friend the member for Campbelltown also moving a motion in relation to that task force, and the member for Charlestown moving another motion saying, "Well done, pat on the back; you have done another review." James O'Doherty wrote a very interesting piece in on 9 June entitled "Once upon a review in the name of a clear picture for NSW Labor". The article states:

If the amount of governmental reviews launched since Labor came to power is anything to go by, it's a wonder Premier Chris Minns doesn't need a full-blown inquiry to decide what to order for lunch.

It goes on to say that more than 15 reviews have been launched since the March election, some of those being the comprehensive expenditure review, the strategic infrastructure review, the toll review, the Sydney Metro review and a review into Sydney Trains. The reviews just keep going on and on. It is quite ironic that Government members are doing so many reviews because they also had an election commitment to reduce the use of consultants. The article goes on to note:

Labor says all of its reviews are needed, in part because its been so long since they were last in office.

As a lover of public policy, I find it very disheartening that election commitments can now simply be about saying, "Guess what? Our policy is to do a review—to establish a task force." Regarding the job ahead for the Government, the article finishes by stating:

That job will become even harder when the multitude of reviews report back and the government needs to make some tough calls.

SeinfeldSeinfeld

In the past week or so we have seen that the Government will have to make some tough calls, particularly regarding what is in or out for the Sydney Metro. Opposition members look forward to seeing what the Premier and the Cabinet will decide. Going into the midwinter break, I was discussing with my colleague from the other place the Hon. Christopher Rath: What is this Government? Having been born in the 1990s, I was a great fan of the television show , which is a show about nothing and that is exactly this Government. It is a Government—a government about nothing.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 76. The member's contribution has nothing to do with the disastrous privatisation of our buses in New South Wales—absolutely nothing. He is trying to be a comedian. Laughing in the face of people who have been left on the side of the street is not very becoming—not even for someone who is a Liberal.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

I have heard the point of order. I ask the member for Davidson to return to the leave of the motion.

Mr MATT CROSS:Run for Your Life

I note the member spoke about privatisation—how interesting. What does a certain former Premier think about privatisation? None other than Bob Carr wrote . I do not think he will mind me quoting from his book, because it means that people are reading it. When it came to privatisation, Bob Carr said:

Our privatisations also made this point. There were three big ones—the TAB, freight rail and coalmines—but because the Ministers won over the relevant unions, when it came to the last two potentially controversial ones, they got through the system without attention.

There we go—Bob Carr, "Mr Pro Privatisation". He continued:

If we had been a conservative government, these neat successful privatisations—

Ms Yasmin Catley:

Point of order: Again, it relates to Standing Order 76. The member is flouting your ruling. He should come back to the issues at hand, which relate to the privatisation of the bus network across this State. I do not need to hear excerpts from a book, but what is clear to me is that the member has demonstrated that he cannot write speeches.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

The Clerk will stop the clock. The motion refers to the Bus Industry Taskforce and its effect on Swansea. It refers to the discontinued 350 and 349 services and rectifying the issue for local services. The member for Davidson will return to the leave of the motion.

Mr MATT CROSS:

Mr Temporary Speaker, I note your comments. The motion includes the word "privatisation". I am just quoting what Bob Carr thinks about privatisation, and clearly the truth hurts. Returning to the motion, I found it interesting that on Facebook on 21 December 2017 the member Swansea stated:

School bus services will be restored, after relentless community pressure. I have been advised by the CEO of Keolis Downer that the schools in town currently serviced by the 350 will continue, and will now be known as route 550.

When the Minister talks about cancelled bus services, I think she really means that they have just been "renamed" bus services.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Order! The member for Swansea will have the right of reply.

Mr MATT CROSS:

When I go to the website to see if there is a bus from Swansea Heads to Newcastle West via Adamstown to Newcastle Interchange, it is called 14, not 550. What do other members from the Central Coast think of the buses? Regarding new bus contracts, I note that the member for The Entrance said:

I'm sure my community will be pleased that long-time local operator Red Bus will continue as our local bus operator.

Time expired.

[]

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) (14:43:22):

Mr Temporary Speaker, I am the Chair of the Bus Passenger Forums for the Bus Industry Taskforce and the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

And a great chair at that.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

First, I start by thanking the Minister for moving this important motion. I note that her motion refers to bus services across New South Wales. They have been absolutely destroyed by the former Government. If Opposition members think they have been untouched by that, they should take a look at the motion of the member for Miranda. She too has raised concerns about the implications of privatisation of buses on her community. I note the member for Wakehurst is in the House. Like Labor members from the Hunter, she has participated in bus passenger forums that have been a critical part of our Bus Industry Taskforce. Government members established those bus passenger forums because we want to ensure that passengers are at the heart of our decision-making. The former Government destroyed buses and public transport in our State.

I know all Labor members in the House are impacted by it. Every single day children are left behind and unable to get home or to school. People are unable to access healthcare services. They are being left behind because of the former Government's privatisation agenda. In my electorate, 31 bus routes were changed and over 60 bus stops were ripped out. People have been unable to get where they need to go. That is why this Government established the Bus Industry Taskforce. Key recommendations have already come forward and we are addressing the bus driver shortage. We hit the ground running on this issue because we knew how important it was.

Mr Michael Regan:

Running with a task force.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

That is it. Now we have our Bus Industry Taskforce and our passenger forums. We have met in Wakehurst. As I have just said, we have started with the Hunter but there is one coming to all members soon—even Opposition members. Unlike when Opposition members were in government, we will be engaging with their community to make sure that the buses and the transport system works. We do government differently on this side. We are not going to be excluding members or passengers from the conversation.

An Opposition member interjected

[.]

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

The community from your area want to be engaged. As an assistant to the Minister as the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, not a day goes by when I am not contacted by people who have been deeply impacted by the former Government's privatisation agenda that absolutely destroyed public transport in this State. We are now addressing the problem. Our bus passenger forums have already started; they will be coming to you soon. We will be reaching out to each and every member from all sides of the Chamber because we care about everyone in this State—unlike you guys who excluded us when we were in Opposition.

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

Point of order: I ask that the member for Coogee direct her very angry comments through the Chair.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

I uphold the point of order. I ask the member for Coogee to direct her comments through the Chair.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

Members on this side of the Chamber do government different. We engage with the community.

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

You have task forces, reviews.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL:

We absolutely do. Our task force is here. We have already got key recommendations and we are doing it. There is much more to come. As I said, buses are a key part of the transport system in this State. We are here to fix it. We are passionate about it because we want to make sure that people can get where they need to go. They can access healthcare services and they can get their kids to school.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Members will come to order.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS (Kellyville) (14:47:29):

I will back in the member for Coogee's comments that members on that side of the House "do Government different". I agree with that. We got a glimpse of that yesterday. Their actions are different to what other governments do regarding conflicts of interests and ministerial standards. I will just park that comment there for the time being. I come to this debate as someone who has spent 22 years in the private bus industry. Just to give an idea of how the private bus industry was born, let us go back perhaps 60, 70 or 80 years when Government could not, and would not, invest in public transport in outlying metropolitan areas of Sydney and some regional areas. Some of those public transport operations that commenced predominantly as school bus runs were operated by people who just had a simple station wagon and were bringing their local friends' and neighbours' children to school. They were awarded contracts and that is how the private industry was born.

I am a great supporter of the private bus industry, having been in it for 22 years. I can state very proudly that, under Glenorie Bus Company prior to it forming together with Hills Bus, in those 22 years we never missed one route run—not one—because of the efficiency and dedication of the hundreds of people who worked in that particular company and our dedication to supporting our community. That is not to say that that happens in all companies, but one thing I do say is that the private bus industry is bound by contracts, and contracts are awarded and approved by the Government of the day. A very interesting contract was issued on 10 July 2023 by the Labor Government, which does things differently from the former Government—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Order!

Mr RAY WILLIAMS:

It was awarded in the Central Coast. Someone who would know that area pretty well is the local member for The Entrance. I quote for the record what the member for The Entrance said—

Mr David Harris:

Point of order—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Before the member takes his point of order, it was lovely and quiet in the Chamber before the member for Terrigal came in, so I am holding him responsible. I ask the Clerk to stop the clock because of the commentary I just made.

Mr David Harris:

My point of order relates to Standing Order 76. The motion specifically refers to public buses being privatised. The Central Coast has never had public buses, so what the member is saying is irrelevant.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS:

To the point of order: There have been many comments made on both sides of the Chamber in regards to the private bus industry. One member in particular said how inefficient it was, how bad it was and how it would be changed. That is completely relevant in relation to the issues I raised about the contracts in the private bus industry.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

I will consider the matter further and take the point, but I ask the member to return to the motion as it is written.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS:

It is important that the Government is engaging with its community, and no doubt the community would engage with its members so members would know better than most people exactly what is happening. The member for The Entrance has put on record his great support for the Red Bus company at The Entrance.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

Point of order—

Mr David Harris:

It operated for 70 years, Ray. Come on! This is rubbish.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS:

It is not rubbish at all.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Order! The Clerk will stop the clock.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

My point of order relates to Standing Order 76. The member is flouting your ruling and he is doing so deliberately. He does not know what he is talking about in relation to the geography of the Central Coast. In addition to that, the motion is clear. Would it be helpful if I read it, Mr Temporary Speaker?

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

No, that is not necessary. I appreciate that the member for Swansea has raised Standing Order 76 and she, of all people, will have the right of reply in just a few moments.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

I know, but I am trying to provide some assistance.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

The member might be able to point things out to the member for Kellyville in her reply because I know that he listens with interest to the response in reply and feedback for his commentary.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

Maybe I could give the motion to him for assistance?

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

No, please do not pass anything across the table. The member for Kellyville has the call.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS:

There is a great deal of support across New South Wales by various communities, whether they be Liberal, Labor, Nationals or Greens voters, in relation to the private bus industry. Under the "very different government" on that side of the House, as we have been advised today, Bob Carr did one very important thing when he was in power. The rail system was so inefficient from midnight to dawn that he put in place NightRide buses run predominantly by the private bus industry. I speak very highly of the private bus industry.

Ms MARYANNE STUART (Heathcote) (14:53:07):

It is not surprising at all that members opposite oppose the motion to put in place a task force. They created the mess that the Minns Government is now committed to fixing. I thank the member for Swansea for bringing the motion before the House and the member for Coogee for being the chair of the bus passenger task force. It is important for us to get out into the community to talk to the drivers, to the stakeholders—who are the passengers—and to the schools to ensure that the services we deliver going forward are exactly what they need. Let us talk about the impact of the former Government signing contracts with U-Go Mobility in region 10. I can talk about that personally because within my electorate of Heathcote that contract was signed at the eleventh hour. The former Government chose the cheapest option. It was not based on experience or quality of service but on cost. And you get what you pay for, right?

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Order!

Ms MARYANNE STUART:

You ousted a longstanding operator, Transdev, which had provided a good service over two decades. That put the safety of my community in question every minute of every day because you signed that contract. Let me talk about U-Go Mobility officially taking over on 1 July this year.

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

Point of order—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

The Clerk will stop the clock. I advise the member for Kellyville that I am busting to kick someone out. Can we just get through the afternoon?

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

The standing orders state that the member should refer all comments through the Chair and not across the table.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

Yes, the member will direct her comments through the Chair.

Ms MARYANNE STUART:

Mr Temporary Speaker, let me remind the Opposition through you that the U-Go Mobility operation took over from 1 July this year and buses have been regularly cancelled or late. Students have been stranded on the side of the road. A mother rang me in tears about the fact that her children—a five‑year‑old and a seven-year-old—were dropped off on the other side of Sutherland and had to walk over three major roads to get to their primary school. Students all around region 10 have been stranded on the side of the road with buses driving past schools, refusing to stop. A 92-year-old was stranded for hours waiting for a service. That contract was signed by the previous Government based on cost, not on experience and not on service delivery. My office has been logging incidents daily, with more than 200 complaints. I have called the principal of every school that has been impacted by these services to express my anger and disappointment with the service. A resident with cancer missed treatment due to the bus not turning up.

Time expired.

All we want is a bus service that is reliable and buses that show up on time. It is not very hard. I thank the drivers; they are doing their best. They have had an operator that has not given them support and has not briefed them, and that is thanks to the contract signed by those now sitting on the other side of this Chamber. This Government, with the task force, will consult with drivers, with schools and with passengers. We thank the drivers, some of whom have not even been paid on time, and we will be consulting with them in the circumstances where they now work from depots. We will do the job and fix up the mess that those opposite have delivered for the people of New South Wales with this service. []

Mr MICHAEL REGAN (Wakehurst) (14:57:49):

I thank the member for Swansea for bringing this motion to the House. Similar to her electorate, my office in Wakehurst also receives a lot of correspondence from commuters dissatisfied with late or cancelled scheduled bus services. We know that when public transport is reliable and frequent, people use it; it makes their lives easier and drives down congestion for everyone in the community. In the lead-up to the election and since, I was very vocal about the need for bus services on the beaches to essentially be fixed. There is no doubt that the perfect storm, from a fully public bus service on the northern beaches to a privately run service, combined with the pandemic, has had a significant knock-on effect. The level of cancellation of bus services in particular has been way too high. It is an issue I am following closely and will continue to advocate for on behalf of the people of Wakehurst. I personally use this service to get to Parliament, to meetings in the city and to my favourite sporting events at the Sydney Cricket Ground—including tonight.

I am continuing to listen to my community. I encourage residents of Wakehurst to contact my office—and the task force—about their expectations and what they need fixed. I am continuing to engage with Keolis Downer, the private operator of buses on the Northern Beaches, and holding them to account about their progress in hiring drivers, overcoming the driver shortage and playing their role in addressing the issues. To be fair, I am encouraged by their reports that the number of bus drivers they are employing is increasing. In relation to recent timetable adjustments, I made my expectation clear that the full timetable will be restored by tend of the year.

I will continue to work with the Government to make sure that Transport for NSW is maintaining proper oversight of this essential public service and that recommendations to the bus taskforce are robust and implemented as fast as possible. How is it that a contract is written in such a way that it encourages service cancellations over buses running late? It is extraordinary. As we have heard, kids are being stranded on their way to school. My nephews, aged 10 and eight, along with a bunch of other kids, were left behind. They had to call their mum to come back to get them. It is not right. School kids, HSC students, are running late for their exams and being told they will fail because the principals cannot wait an hour for them to get to school. It is wrong.

There are also permanent route cancellations—the list of problems goes on. This contract also failed to provide any consideration for public schools to have buses available to take students to school sport. Seriously, who wrote this contract? People are late for work—an hour late. That is not acceptable. I welcome the Government's task force. I note that the last bus passenger forum was held in Dee Why. It was a successful event, and I thank the Minister and the member for Coogee for attending. I received a lot of positive feedback about it. I thank everyone who participated. It was well and truly oversubscribed because everyone wants this issue fixed—so let's get on with it. If it takes a task force to do it, so bloody be it. I encourage the community to make submissions. I look forward to interim reports from the task force being made publicly available within the time frames originally stated, and to the swift implementation of recommendations that alleviate bus driver shortages and get buses up to the quality the community expects.

Ms KOBI SHETTY (Balmain) (15:01:09):

By leave: I speak in support of the motion. The privatisation of bus services in New South Wales has been a disaster for commuters, particularly in Sydney's inner west and in my electorate of Balmain, where bus services are the primary mode of public transport. I, too, hear almost daily from members of my community that the bus services are not up to scratch. Cancellations, late running services and services that are already full by the time they reach their bus stop are common complaints. The bus that I catch to Parliament often does not stop. It sails past every morning because it is full. People are forced to walk two or three stops in the opposite direction to try to get on. If people do not feel like they can rely on these services then they stop using them altogether. This puts extra strain on our overstretched road networks and contributes to higher transport emissions because everybody gets in their cars and drives instead.

The introduction of the Bus Industry Taskforce is indeed welcome. I know that residents across my community will be paying very close attention to its findings and recommendations. But let us be honest. We already know what the issue is: It is privatisation. Unless the Government commits to bringing Region 6 back into public hands when the contracts expire in 2026, the Bus Industry Taskforce will potentially not solve the problems in my electorate. Fast, connected and safe public transport is at the heart of an efficient and socially just city. Our ailing public transport and traffic congestion brings stress and frustration to people across the State. It costs families precious time and has a negative impact on the economy. Encouraging public and active transport can address these issues and have a positive effect on pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and it makes our communities healthier.

During its last term, the former Liberal‑Nationals Government cut the direct 445 to the Balmain East wharf, forcing people to change at a park that is only about a kilometre away from the ferry stop. This unnecessary and frustrating change is such a disincentive for people to use the bus service. It should be reversed. For so many in the electorate, the 370 bus route provided a really important connection, and yet that service was cut. It needs to be restored. And we cannot forget the ridiculous service from Annandale to the city that actually requires passengers to take a bus from Annandale back to Rozelle to change buses in order to then travel directly to the CBD. That route means bus passengers need to double back and travel away from the city in order to get the bus that goes in the correct direction. It is clear that there needs to be a service from The Crescent and Johnston Street directly to the CBD, rather than going via Rozelle.

I take a moment to address the lack of reliable connectivity between the different modes of transport. In Balmain we have an ongoing issue with the inability of the transport planning to ensure that the connection between ferries and buses is convenient for passengers. I continue to receive reports, almost weekly, of buses leaving just as the ferry offloads passengers. The passengers are left to wait in the dark for a later bus, often for extended periods of time, or to try to walk up a very steep hill to get themselves into the peninsula. An adjustment of the timetable by just a few minutes, or some flexibility on the part of the drivers, would solve this incredibly frustrating problem.

During the election, the new minority Labor Government's candidate stood alongside the now transport Minister and made a number of commitments on these issues, as well as on our local ferry services. A Bus Industry Taskforce is a very welcome first step, but I again call on the Government to honour its commitments and take further steps to systematically deliver the public transport improvements for the people of New South Wales that we need. I congratulate all of those members of my community who have been such strong advocates for public and active transport. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that these systemic changes take place.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (15:05:05):

By leave: I thank the member for Swansea for moving this motion, and I thank members on both sides—in particular, the member for Davidson—for granting me leave to speak on this important issue. I will speak on behalf of my community and what is occurring in Region 10 at the moment. I have here an announcement from the Minister for Transport directing Transport for NSW to step in to manage day‑to‑day operations in Region 10, alongside U‑Go Mobility, as of last Monday. It is good that the Minister listened to calls from myself and parliamentary colleagues on both sides, including the member for Heathcote, telling her that something had to be done and done urgently.

By way of introduction, the Sutherland shire and many other parts of Sydney have had a private bus operator for decades. In fact, Punchbowl Bus Company took me to school, to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School at Oatley and to Marist Catholic College Penshurst. I think they probably transported the Premier to school as well, as we attended schools in the same area. They have been operating in our community for over 75 years and have had a very good track record of taking people in my electorate from point A to point B. I acknowledge the great work of Punchbowl Bus Company. I also want to acknowledge their many drivers. I believe over 80 per cent of their workforce has gone to the new operators for Region 10. But let us put everything on the table. Transport for NSW and U‑Go Mobility had months and months to prepare the takeover, the contract, and knew well in advance the required services that they would need to manage into the future. So if they knew they could not maintain these services, there should have been ample notice and proper communication—

Ms Maryanne Stuart:

You shouldn't have signed the contract then.

Mr MARK COURE:

You've had your turn. There should have been proper communication with our community across the St George and Sutherland shire.

Ms Maryanne Stuart:

It falls at your feet.

Mr MARK COURE:

I raised this personally with the Minister's staff and with Transport for NSW prior to the new operators starting—and because of her interjection I will note that the member for Heathcote was in that forum as well. It is now clear that it was never investigated. We were assured—members on this side, members on that side, the member for Heathcote—that with the new operator everything "would be under control". Well, clearly, it was not. In particular, there should never have been a situation where school services were suspended, where school communities were only notified on the day that there would be no school bus service operating. I look forward to seeing the findings of this review. Our communities just want their bus services back. They do not want services cut. Many services in my community which used to run every 10 or 15 minutes are now 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour between. I thank the member for Swansea for moving this motion. Again, I thank members on both sides for granting me the right to speak on such an important motion. I will continue to fight on behalf of my community to bring our buses back.

I look forward to seeing the findings of the review. Our communities want our buses back. Our communities want our services back. We do not want our services cut. Many services in our community that used to take 10 or 15 minutes now take half an hour, 45 minutes or an hour. I thank the member for Swansea for moving this important motion and members on both sides of the House for granting me the right to speak to it. I will continue to fight for my community to bring our buses back.

Ms JENNY LEONG (Newtown) (15:09:29):

By leave: It was hard to find the words to seek leave to speak in this debate because of the hypocrisy that I just heard from Opposition members—former Government members—who said, "Please, we want our buses back. Our communities want our buses back." Who destroyed the bus network in New South Wales? They did.

Ms Yasmin Catley:

And who was the Parliamentary Secretary for transport?

Ms JENNY LEONG:

Indeed. The member for Oatley was the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure. I cannot believe it. I find it unfathomable to even comprehend the idea that we are now seeing members of the former 12-year Liberal-Nationals Government crying, "Oh my goodness. I have this problem with my local school. The community just wants to be able to catch a bus." Seriously. They caused this disaster by pursuing their privatisation agenda.

The Greens thank the member for Swansea for bringing the motion to the Chamber and acknowledge that the new Minns Labor Government has brought into play a task force to examine the issues. Let us be clear: The task force is necessary to consider the massive challenges ahead. But we must acknowledge absolutely that privatisation has failed and anything other than a commitment from the new Minns Labor Government to bring the buses back into public hands is unacceptable. It is not enough just to critique privatisation. It is important to renationalise and bring services back into public hands. That is absolutely critical. The privatisation agenda delivered ongoing cancellations, constant delays, fewer services, longer travel times and terrible outcomes for workers. Privatising inner west buses was completely disastrous and created dangerous conditions.

After the buses were privatised, my electorate office started receiving phone calls from local people. The back streets between Enmore Road and King Street are very narrow—members might be familiar with them. People were ringing in a panic, thinking someone had stolen a bus because bus drivers were driving down their quiet back streets. The drivers were not adequately trained and did not know the routes so were turning down side streets in the back of Newtown and Enmore. In addition, bus stops were closed. I look forward to the details of when the task force will consult the community about inner west and inner-city bus services. I thank the Minister for Transport and the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport for their commitment to inform us so we ensure our communities engage with that process.

Let us be clear: While it is welcome that the bus task force's remit will include engaging directly with communities and hearing about the impacts of privatisation, it is not enough for this Government simply to talk about the disastrous impacts and deflect the blame and responsibility onto the dudes behind me. We need a commitment to bring our bus network back into public hands, because any public transport system that is run by private operators will be driven by profit motive over and above the interests of passengers—families, communities and young people who use the bus services. The private operators' priorities will always be different. Privatising our bus network means running it for profit instead of providing a quality public transport system that meets the needs of and delivers for our communities.

If we are committed to the idea of creating jobs and having a world-class public transport system in this State, we must recognise the importance of keeping the system public. I cannot stress that enough. I remember many years ago standing with the unions and the Labor Party, which made a commitment to oppose the privatisation of inner west buses. We promise to make sure that the new Labor Government keeps future bus services in public hands.

Ms YASMIN CATLEY (SwanseaMinister for Police and Counter-terrorism) (15:13:34):

— In reply: This is an important debate because it is such an important issue. I thank members representing the electorates of Coogee, Balmain, Newtown, Kellyville, Heathcote and Wakehurst.

Mr Gurmesh Singh:

What about the member for Oatley?

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

I write my own speeches. I definitely do not need assistance from the member for Coffs Harbour. Why do Opposition members think the member for Wakehurst won his seat? I will tell them. The decisions they made to privatise public transport and make it inaccessible for people contributed to his great success. I congratulate him, and I enjoy working with him. I also agree with the member for Newtown. The member for Oatley said, "Our community wants our buses back. Our community wants our services back." I remember how, as the then Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, he was shocked at the amount of correspondence from the Swansea electorate office about serious transport problems. I said to him, "I hope you never have to experience that." Guess what? He sat in Cabinet, did nothing about it and allowed it to happen. And now it has happened to him. I feel extremely sorry for him, because I know exactly what he is going through. But, again, does the 6 per cent swing to Labor at the last election not ring alarm bells? The member for Oatley is now on a 0.8 per cent margin because of the mistakes he made. He should ensure that he never makes them again. He should make sure that he stands up for people and is honest in what he says. He had an opportunity, and he did not take it. I also thank the member for Davidson. He had a 10.9 per cent swing against him.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

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

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

The member for Davidson is the Labor Party's best asset, because people with his attitude do not care about bus services or people being left on the street. The member for Wakehurst told us about his young nephews. That story is repeated over and over again in all our electorates. I want the member for Davidson to speak to all my motions because he is the Labor Party's greatest asset. There is no doubt about it.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

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

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

He is "Mr 10.9 per cent our way". I love it.

Mr Mark Coure:

This has nothing to do with the motion.

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

I am thanking everybody. I thought I was being very polite and kind. I return to the motion. I congratulate the Minister for Transport. She has put our buses back in the right lane. People will be at the forefront of every decision this Government makes. The Minister for Transport has made this her number one priority. It is the first thing she did as Minister, and the community that I represent is so thankful.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

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

Ms YASMIN CATLEY:

Community members were so happy to sit with the Minister and the large number of officials around her and outline their concerns. But it was more than that. They gave the Minister and the Transport for NSW officials their ideas about a public transport system that meets the needs of the people of New South Wales. I know it is a new, creative idea, but we are committed to it.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Clayton Barr):

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

The House divided.

Ayes51

Noes34

Majority17

Motion agreed to.