The Greens Transport spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA, says statements from all parties shows that there is consensus on the need for an overhaul of Public Transport in the ACT.

“It’s sometimes said that it is the darkest hour before the dawn and the one positive coming from all the bad news for ACTION is that there is a new consensus for real change,” Ms Bresnan said today.

“The Greens have long campaigned for public transport and while it’s on the front page for all the wrong reasons, it gives us the mandate to make structural changes that are long overdue.

“I want to see a tri-partisan approach that will allow the Minster to make bold changes to the whole structure of ACTION, including its workforce.

“All parties must agree on the need for:

- Employment arrangements that reflect the nature of running a modern public transport system
- New routes to focus on Rapid-Direct services, starting with additional REDEX routes
- ACTPLA must incorporate public transport needs from the beginning of suburb design and re-development
- The new ticketing system must roll out effectively with a cautious approach to avoid expensive system collapses seen elsewhere
- Continued infrastructure improvements

“The Government must be complemented on one element of public transport which has recently been much improved, and that is infrastructure.

“Funds appropriated to fix Northbourne and the progress on cross-border bus priority on Canberra Avenue are projects that the ACT Greens have campaigned for and the Chief Minister should be congratulated for moving on these.

“I do want to see an end to the mud-slinging from the Opposition, who would do better to show their concern for public transport by joining us in the campaign to improve services,” Ms Bresnan said.

The Greens have commended the Legislative Assembly’s Planning Committee’s report into live music and events in Canberra.  

In February 2009, Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Greens spokesperson for Planning introduced a motion to the Assembly, which called for a Committee inquiry into live music.  The final report was tabled in the Assembly today.

“There is a major concern that Canberra’s music and arts scene is struggling in a range of ways and that we are losing a very important part of our city’s vibrancy and vitality,” Ms Le Couteur said today.  

“Music venues, live performances, and arts and cultural facilities make an important contribution to Canberra’s character, vitality, cultural life, and to its activity centres – we can’t let that be forgotten in Canberra.”

Ms Le Couteur said Canberra could grow to become a unique city for live entertainment with the right support and initiatives.

“One thing I would really like to see is adaptation of Canberra’s empty office space in the city for short, or longer-term live event venues. Newcastle in NSW provides an excellent example of how to do this through its support for the ‘Renew Newcastle’ organisation.

“I’m also interested in exploring the ‘live music precincts’ idea. I think we could explore opportunities for live music precincts in many parts of Canberra – even the Eastern Broadacre Zone, provided it is supported by good public transport.

The report also covers issues including planning, licensing and noise regulations.

“This is a very strong report, and it does make clear that a large onus rests on the Government to help create, support and promote opportunities for live events in Canberra.

“The report talks about facilitating partnerships between live entertainment operators and private leaseholders, as well as between live acts and government, to help find venues for artists without prohibitive costs.

“This Report has been in the works for a long time and now we have something to move on to protect and improve the vibrancy of our city,” Ms Le Couteur said.

The full report available at: http://www.legassembly.act.gov.au/downloads/reports/PPW04and07%20Live_interim%20and%20final.pdf

The ACT Greens have welcomed the Government’s commitment to set a 40% by 2020 emissions reduction target for the ACT

“We congratulate the Government for adopting this position and welcome that they are taking climate change seriously. We look forward to working with them to deliver this 40% target in the ACT,” Greens Spokesperson on Climate Change, Shane Rattenbury, said.

“The Greens put a legislated target as our number one policy issue in the ALP-Greens Parliamentary Agreement and we have campaigned strongly for this over the last few months, so this is a welcome announcement and a real achievement.

“The ACT community has demonstrated its strong support for action on climate change and now we can set a firm target and begin to implement the programs and policies that will get us there.

“A strong target will give clear guidance about what we are aiming to achieve on emissions reductions, and will create a framework through which a whole range of Government decisions will need to be assessed.

“We’ve seen over the past few months a great community campaign from CanberraLoves40%, and we know that the ACT has the greenest vote in the country. So here is a community that is ready to act.

“This is an ambitious target and it will require strong action in energy efficiency programs, increasing renewable energy and changes to our transport use.

“But there is no doubt that this sets us on the path to being a zero emission city and will prepare us for the changes in our energy future that are inevitably on the way,” Mr Rattenbury said.