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North Shore Electorate Bus Services

Published on: February 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-149806

North Shore Electorate Bus Services

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (23:45:56):

Delays, cancellations, overcrowding and record queuing are plaguing bus services in my community and have left constituents stranded, facing ridiculous wait times and seeing a huge reduction in the services they so heavily rely on. This morning was the worst many have seen in decades, and we need the Government to act. Labor's changes to bus routes have only worsen the situation. Commuters are now facing 200 metres queues and are forced to leave home earlier and earlier to ensure a spot on a city‑bound bus—only to wait in the queue for more than 30 minutes, in many cases. While Labor claims they aim to improve the bus network—

Mr Nathan Hagarty:

Point of order—

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

—the reality for North Shore residents tells a starkly different story. I have brought up this issue over a dozen times in this place in the past 18 months, and I am once again urging the Government to restore reliable services to the North Shore.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

The member for North Shore will resume her seat. The Clerk will stop the clock. I call the member for Leppington on a point of order.

Mr Nathan Hagarty:

That is well outside the remit of a community recognition statement. It is speaking on policy and on the Government. It has nothing to do with the member's community.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

The member provided the relevance at the start of her statement.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

To the point of order: Community recognition statements are about our communities. When I start speaking about bus services in the North Shore, I do not expect Labor members—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

The member for North Shore will resume her seat. I call the member for North Shore to order for the third time.

Mr Nathan Hagarty:

Point of order: The member is being quarrelsome.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

I have called the member for North Shore to order. The member for North Shore will continue with her statement.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

Shall I start from the beginning, Mr Temporary Speaker, as you have ruled that my statement is in order?

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

No. We have stopped the clock. The member will continue giving her statement.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

If I may, Mr Temporary Speaker, the member for Leppington intentionally—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):Hansard

I will not engage in debate. The statement will appear in  exactly as you have given it so far.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

It is depressing that Labor members would want to interject and prevent my community from having their say in this House.

Mr Tim Crakanthorp:

But you don't do it as recognition of your community—cheap, political points.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

The member for Newcastle should also recognise that the Minister himself is addressing this issue with me. Maybe the Labor members can recognise that this issue is of genuine concern for communities.

Mr Nathan Hagarty:

Point of order—

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Michael Kemp):

The member for North Shore has completed her answer. There is no point of order.