The Palaszczuk Labor Government has left Bundaberg and the Burnett in crisis and chaos following the rollout of the reduced train timetable.
Despite serious community pushback, petitions, and Questions on Notice in Parliament, the Health Minister and Transport Minister have refused to listen to commonsense solutions.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the reduced services will result in a huge extra cost and burden for Bundaberg residents.
“I asked Minister Fentiman if her department would increase the patient travel subsidy for accommodation to recognise the effect of these scheduled train cancellations,” said Mr Bennett.*
“Her response of a $10 increase was just insulting.
“There are no trains on a Sunday or Wednesday anymore.
“This means that if patients have specialist appointments on a Monday or Thursday morning, they will have to travel to Brisbane two days in advance or catch a plane.
“This is simply unaffordable or practically unrealistic for most.”
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett also tabled a Question on Notice for Transport and Main Roads Minister Bailey.**
Mr Bennett said it’s clear the State Labor Government has left the station with no intention of fixing the debacle they created.
“We put a commonsense solution on the table, but the Palaszczuk Government has stopped listening,” he said.
“Their responses have been utterly arrogant.
“The Palaszczuk Government is ignoring thousands of people who are directly affected by these changes.
“All we’re asking is to replace the lost services with accessible buses; exactly like we see when scheduled trains are replaced with buses in the Southeast corner.
“It’s about providing regional Queenslanders with the services they deserve and expect.
“We shouldn’t be treated like second-class citizens just because we live outside Brisbane.
“After three terms and eight years in office, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is no longer listening to Queenslanders.
“The chaos and crisis that has engulfed the State Labor Government has impacted service delivery for regional Queenslanders.
“Bundaberg and Burnett residents deserve better.”
* https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/844-2023.pdf
** https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/765-2023.pdf
ENDS.
27/07/2023