Budget Day 2010
NSW Shadow Treasurer, Mike Baird on Budget Day 2010
Rail Travel
Last Monday my family travelled to Coffs Harbour by train. (a distance of 530 km). If the highway ever gets finished it would probably be 5 1/2 hrs by road. Well we live at Rooty Hill about 50km west of the CBD. We could not get the train to Strathfield station early in the morning as the trains are crowded and have no provision for luggage. So we got a mini bus. As the train was leaving at 7.30am and we had to book in 1/2 hour earlier, because the M4 is usually a parking station in peak hour we had to leave home at 5.30am to be sure we were on time. Then the train trip from hell. 7.30 am until 4.30 pm nine hours to cover 500 km. I think they are using the 1910 timetable not the 2010 timetable. All up 11 hours to get to Coffs Harbour from Sydney.
My biggest gripe is the people of this state have paid enough taxes to have decent train travel, but all the money gets wasted (the CBD metro for example). The government wastes money without blinking an eye as though it is their money. It is our money.
For our sake get into power, cut the beaurocracy, stop wasting money and get things done.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will provide incentives to safe drivers
NSW is losing the battle against dangerous driving.
In January 2010 there were 45 road deaths in NSW.[1] Compared to January 2009, this is a 73 per cent increase.[2]
During the twelve months ended January 2010, there were a total of 481 deaths on our roads, compared to 372 deaths during the twelve months until January 2009.
Number of Road Crash Deaths in Each State / Territory[3]
|
|
Feb 2009 – Jan 2010 |
February 2008 – Jan 2009 |
% Difference |
|
NSW |
481 |
372 |
29.3 |
|
Vic |
284 |
306 |
-7.2 |
|
Qld |
317 |
327 |
-3.1 |
SA |
134 |
100 |
34.0 |
|
WA |
195 |
208 |
-6.3 |
|
Tas |
57 |
46 |
23.9 |
|
NT |
33 |
75 |
-56.0 |
|
ACT |
12 |
13 |
-7.7 |
|
Australia |
1,513 |
1,447 |
4.6 |
The NSW Liberals & Nationals believe a new approach is needed to licensing NSW drivers, an approach that rewards good behaviour and punishes bad behaviour.
In government we will introduce our Fair Go for Safe Drivers strategy, which takes a “carrot and stick” approach to road safety.
Under a Fair Go for Safe Drivers, safe drivers who have a driving record free of an offence for at least five years will have their licence renewal fees cut by fifty per cent. This discount will apply whether the licence is renewed for 1, 3 or 5 years.
A similar scheme has been operating successfully in Victoria since 2006.[4][1] Department of Infrastructure, Surface Transport & Road Safety Statistics, (2010), “Road deaths Australia”, Australian Government, January 2010, p. 2.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Vic Roads, “Driver Rewards Scheme”, State Government of Victoria, retrieved 15 March 2010 at http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/RenewReplaceOrUpdate/DriverRewardScheme.htm.
NW Commuters Up For $65,000 In Tolls Waiting For Labor's Rail Link
Drivers in the North West could pay at least $65,000 in tolls, while motorists in the South West face toll charges up to $18,000 before Labor finally delivers rail links promised in Labor’s transport election scam – and that's before they are hit by Kristina Keneally’s new $30 car rego tax, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Roads Andrew Stoner revealed today.
“Under Labor’s latest transport election scam, the North West Rail Link doesn't start till 2017 and won't be finished until 2024, while the South West Rail Link isn't due for completion until 2016,” Mr O’Farrell said.
