“The JetCats will be considered in the context of the Mini Budget” – Minister for Transport, Mr David Campbell, on 2UE radio, Steve Price program (22-10-08)
In an ominous sign for Manly residents, it looks like Nathan Rees and David Campbell are offering the JetCat service as a potential means of freeing up funds in the Mini Budget, said Manly MP Mike Baird.
“If this is the logic then heaven help the rest of the Mini-Budget process,” Mr Baird said. “Taking the JetCat service from Manly is like taking the Tube out of London.”
“It now looks like Nathan Rees is going to protect his Labor MPs in marginal seats after announcing that he plans to save the Parramatta Rivercat service.
“The only conclusion we can take from this is that the entire Mini-Budget process is putting politics above good policy, let alone true fiscal responsibility.
“Sydney Ferries’ revenue was up 14% while its expenses were up 46% over the past five years, so whatever costings the Government is using against us are primarily the result of their mismanagement. These costings need to be made public.
“Manly commuters should not have to pay for the Government’s mismanagement. If the issue with the JetCats is reliability, then why was the maintenance budget slashed by 27 percent over the last two years?
“Every day there are long queues to get on the JetCat in peak hours – the only complaint with the JetCat is that there aren’t enough services to satisfy demand and services are cancelled because of maintenance problems.
“First we have the Government attacking bus services on the Peninsula, they’re yet to provide a long-term solution for Spit congestion, and now they’re planning to axe the fast ferry service.
“When are they going to get it? Public transport should not be sacrificed for quick financial gain and particularly not to cover up years of sloppy management.”
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington – 0406 726 880
|
