I have been lucky enough to represent the people of Bass at both a state and federal level. As the Federal Member for Bass I fought for increased funding for roads in Bass and in particular the East Tamar Highway.

I was particularly pleased to secure $60 million of funding for the East Tamar Highway upgrade in 2006 on behalf of the community and I welcome the completion of the works and the opening of the Highway today.

For many years, the East Tamar Highway was the poor cousin of the state’s highway network and I hope that the area and the community can now benefit from improvements this infrastructure upgrade will bring.

A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will ensure that nearly $50 million is invested over the next four years in the North-East.

We commit to ensuring that the $42.5 million in road funding for North-East freight roads that was announced three years ago is expedited and spent on priority projects such as the Bridport Main Road as a matter of urgency.

We will build on this investment and provide up to further $6 million for new projects to immediately support jobs, roads and the North-East community.

Over the last four years the State Liberals have taken the time listen and understand the challenges the people of the North-East face. As a result the party has committed to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and creating local jobs, building local roads and the investing in the broader community in its North-East Package.

The initiatives we are announcing today will ensure that local roads are upgraded and importantly local jobs are created.

Furthermore in addition to the funding commitments made today a Hodgman Liberal Government also understands very much the concerns of the agricultural and forestry sectors here in Dorset. We know that water development has not been at the pace that the community would like or needs and we are committed to ensuring that water projects in the North East are given the priority attention they deserve.

The forestry sector faces challenges in both the short and longer term. We are prepared to back the industry as we have in the past and will commit to working side by side with it to face the challenges ahead. We have already acknowledged the need for short term assistance for contractors and will continue to listen and act when necessary to ensure that this very important industry sector remains supported.

We commit to expediting the $42.5M for North east freight routes as after three years the community has waited long enough. Dorset council have made a strong case for $10M of this funding to be committed to the Scottsdale to Bridport main Rd as one of the priority projects for the NE which we support.

The new projects announced today are:

• $4 million to continue the Lilydale Road upgrade. This is not conditional on federal funding however there is an expectation that the Federal Government will also commit funding. Furthermore our new independent body, Infrastructure Tasmania, will provide advice to government on prioritising roads in the North-East for the State’s Infrastructure Plan. This will ensure funding certainty in future based on independently assessed priorities.
• $1 million to begin works on the unsealed section of the Tomahawk to Gladstone road. This road is a key tourism and freight link road around the North East and the proposed works should assist contractors who have lost work due to the delay in the Musselroe wind farm project. Support from the Federal Government will also be sought.
• The proposed Bridport Western Road Access Project will be referred to Infrastructure Tasmania for consideration as a part of its development of a strategic infrastructure plan.
• $150,000 will be committed to upgrade the Bridport Recreation Ground as a first step to enable it to develop into a multi-purpose facility able to service the needs of this growing community into the future.
• $120,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Scottsdale Ex- Services and Community Club to undertake urgently needed repairs and maintenance and commence capital projects.
• $60,000 is committed over three years to assist the continued development of the North East Rivers festival and especially the centrepiece of this festival the iconic Derby River Derby.
• $75,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Dorset Men’s Shed to continue the appointment of a part-time co-ordinator to enable it to continue its vital work in supporting men through a range of initiatives.
• $100,000 for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Department of Economic Development on the benefits to the North-East community of attracting an international golf event at the Barnbougle Dunes golf course at Bridport.
• $90,000 towards new changing rooms and office facilities to further enhance the Bridport Bowls Club’s growing operations.
• $150,000 to strengthen aged care services in the North-East and to allow for a feasibility study to look at ways to improve aged care in the North-East.
• $70,000 to assist the Scottsdale Football Club to undertake essential maintenance at its clubrooms and meet a shortfall in the cost of lighting its ground.
• $75,000 to enable the Dorset Council to develop rest rooms/comfort stop facilities in Derby to enhance services available to visitors and build on the development that has occurred in recent years.

These announcements add to the Rapid Response GP Unit and Development Fund, already announced for Northern Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberals understand Tasmanians are entitled to health care when and where they need it.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will fund a $500,000 a year to a Rapid Response GP and Development Fund to ensure no Tasmanian is left without primary health care in the event of unexpected GP shortages. Lack of access to primary health care puts additional pressure on hospitals and can compromise the health of Tasmanians.

The RRDF will be managed by GP North and GP Workforce in the north of the State, and will have the ability to act swiftly to respond to community needs, with a team comprising a GP, practice nurse and practice manager, to ensure patients have continuity of care in urban and regional communities in the north of the State.

The announcements today will improve community infrastructure, build on current investments in the North east and importantly create local jobs for local people.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will provide the real change Flinders Island needs with up to $6.4 million to fix shipping, improve port facilities, further develop renewable energy options and importantly, assist the island to further develop and market the Flinders Island brand.

Labor has failed the Flinders Island community over almost 12 years in government. Most recently, the debacle surrounding the Flinders Island shipping service highlights Labor’s ineptitude and lack of interest in the people of Flinders Island.

The people of Flinders Island deserve real change – real change that only a majority Liberal Government can deliver.

First and foremost, we will deliver real change to Flinders Island’s shipping service by empowering the Flinders Island community to take control of the Island’s vital shipping service.

Rather than the state government subsidising a shipping service as has been done unsuccessfully in the past, we will provide $750,000 over three years to the Flinders Island Council to empower the island to be in control of its sea transport links. In conjunction with the Council, we will establish a board to manage shipping services to the Island, to ensure the shipping debacle that occurred in the last two years doesn’t happen again.

We will also ensure that as part of Infrastructure Tasmania’s state-wide infrastructure plan, that a 10 year ports plan will be developed for Flinders Island. Once the plan has been finalized, Tasports will be tasked to develop a schedule of priority works, expected to be up to $5 million.

Furthermore we will provide $180,000 over three years to assist the island to further develop its tourism industry, strengthen the Flinders brand and its penetration into key markets.

We will also:

• Provide $100,000 to develop a Whitemark Master Plan;
• $150,000 to enable the council and community to further develop renewable power generation and investigate and develop a community ownership model for the Island;
• $220,000 to towards maintenance on the Whitemark Link Road in 2010-11, and we will consider a formal transfer of the road to the State Government once due diligence has been undertaken;
• Funding of $30,000 over three years for the transition program to assist young islanders undertake further education or employment on mainland Tasmania.

Residents of Flinders Island will also benefit from the real change brought about by the Liberal’s policy to secure the ongoing future of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the introduction of “flying clinics.”

Only a majority Hodgman Liberal Government can provide the people of Flinders Island with the real change they need.

Michael fires the starter’s gun for the Bus It Challenge in Bass

I can still remember working late at night several months ago when a mysterious email arrived from two young Tasmanians wanting me to commit to travelling only on public transport for 24-48 hours during the first week of February. Making a commitment to not travel around using the very convenient car.

No more convincing needed – so I signed up straight away that very night:

Yeah count me in…. I accept your challenge!
Stay in touch.
Michael
PS – who are where are you ??

(If I thought I would be the first to agree to this odd request, I was nearly right…. In fact just beaten to it by an equally enthusiastic participant in the Liberal candidate in Denison Matt Stevenson.)

Main challenge day Tuesday February 2

My challenge started today by driving to the nearest bus stop and parking. Armed with my new Metro Greencard (which I nicknamed my LiberalCard) I started over to the bus stop. In fact, there are two Metro bus stops just 40m apart from each other on the same side of the street. That’s weird. Which will be the correct one? The kind young lady walking down the hill clarified for me that one is disused. (Note to self: tell Metro they may have a problem to fix!)

Arriving at the bus stop at 9:15 I find that the buses depart every hour. Rather disappointing really. I am 10 minutes late for the last bus and 50 minutes early for the next. At this point I am thinking of walking into the city – this would be quicker – but I know my Tweet followers would be disappointed so I wait. While this was annoying, it gave me a chance to call a local mayor regarding a huge problem in the community I am working on; and to return a call to a lady who is having problems with the government that no-one else wants to bother with. So this is time well spent. Also chatted to some people going by and two others waiting for the bus. They are all fascinated that a politician would actually honour the commitment for a whole day!

TWEET: I’ve started the bus it challenge! Now waiting for the number 80c to get into the city.

The bus arrived 8 minutes late which is within tolerance I guess…. But too bad if running late for work or a meeting. I swipe my LiberalCard and found a seat. The bus driver is an old family friend and it was nice to say g’day and tell him all about the challenge. The bus itself seemed almost like new, air-conditioned and was able to drop and raise the suspension to help older people manage stepping on and off. Sitting next to a young mum with her two kids and struck up a chat with little Miss. Discussed with the lady the bus transfer she would need to make in the city to get to her dad’s home for a visit. Felt very proud of my knowledge of the bus timetables….

TWEET: Ok I’ve just got into the city on the metro. Great ride but was running bit late… More soon

Later in the day I walked the 2k from the City to Newstead as I thought it would be quicker (I was passed by two buses…ha ha) but that’s ok, it’s all part of the challenge to find these things out. 25 minutes and I’ve arrived. The majority of my time today is for business appointments to further develop an exciting project I am working to improve quality of life in the CBD.

TWEET: It’s interesting. Meeting ran too late so despite a long hot run I… Missed the bus… Now waiting in Newstead for the next one 2 city

At the conclusion of these visits I climb aboard the return bus to the city – it’s right on time. The friendly lady-driver is happy to have a snap with me and we’re away. My dear friend Reg Trebilco moves over and asks me to sit with him. We catch up, discuss the bus service, his amazing artwork and the importance of eating and drinking well. He’s an authority after all, at 95 he looks healthier than quite a few younger people I met today.

TWEET: Just sat next to the most amazing man reg trebilco 95 years young and still painting his amazing work.

TWEET: Clean nice quiet bus. About 3/4 empty. Great busdriver asking me all about #busit challenge which I am answering for all passengers 2 hear

Finish my business and customer interviews and doorknocking today. Checked the timetable and head over to bus stop…. Can’t help but notice some unsavoury and antisocial behaviour as I walk past a bus stop…. I’m glad I’m not travelling with them but feel very sorry for anyone who will.

TWEET: @busitchallenge time to travel home now… Pretty sure I’m early now.

Aboard the bus and heading home. It was great to catch up with a friend who was able to tell me about her wonderful efforts volunteering 3 days a week for the City Mission. I thank her for her efforts and congratulate her. We need more people with this generosity of spirit. Thanks Leanne!

TWEET: Stuck behind a cyclist on a windy narrow rd!

Reflection

Today was a day without any dramas or bad incidents travelling on the Bus It Challenge. My card cost $20 which I will be able to use for future exciting editions of the Bus It Challenge. (yes, that’s right… stay tuned!). Having not caught many buses in Launceston in recent times, I was pleased with the standard of buses I rode. I found the timetabling to be adequate but not as frequent as would make it a viable option for me to rely on day-by-day. Also the distance from my home to the bus stop could prove to be a real pain in the neck during wet days. On the up side, I am able to do work and make phone calls while being driven and there’s no need to fight over expensive car parking in Launceston City so that was a bonus! I’m doing more for the Bus It Challenge in the next few days so stay tuned for more feedback. In the meantime, I welcome any feedback from any other Challenge participants or supporters. Live forum on my website at www.michaelferguson.com

What improvements or experiences can you share with other readers of this page?  Please, let me hear from you and allow me to gain an even greater insight into the value and opportunity of public transport, road infrastructure and car parking in Northern Tasmania.

Tasmanian roads are the most deadly in Australia. Think about that for a moment: “The most deadly roads in Australia”. The national road fatality rate for 2008 was 6.85 deaths per 100,000 people. In Tasmania last year the rate was 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s almost double.

Even before the tragically high number of deaths last year we still had the highest per capita fatality rate of any state. Only the Northern Territory had a worse record.

In 2009 the Northern Territory took action. It reduced speed limits, increased demerit points, doubled fines and got dedicated traffic police on the roads. The result last year was the Territory’s lowest toll for 30 years – a reduction from 74 in 2008 to 30 in 2009.

Through a similar range of measures the Victorian Government last year oversaw its lowest road toll since records began in 1952.

Here in Tasmania the Bartlett government did nothing to seriously tackle the problem and we saw our road toll rise from 40 in 2008 to 64 deaths in 2009.

Even that shocking rise was not enough to make Labor wake up and take action.

When asked about the disastrous road toll Police Minister Jim Cox said he’s “never seen a road kill anyone”. Perhaps that attitude is also the reason why Infrastructure Minister Graeme “goat track” Sturges keeps inventing reasons why the Midland Highway shouldn’t be upgraded to four lanes ?

Ref: Article in The Mercury

Labor not only has the wrong attitude to road safety, its ministers seem utterly incapable of initiating measures to save lives.

Throughout the past year I’ve highlighted new ideas and policies that can help reduce Tasmania’s road toll. I’ve spoken about driver training and education, tackling hoons, increasing penalties, improving our roads, and, for young people, linking behaviour at school to the ability to obtain a learner’s permit.

Videos and articles on road safety on my website here.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government road safety will be a priority. A whole suite of initiatives are ready to be implemented to make our roads safer and start saving lives. These include:

Speed Camera Revenue

The Tasmanian Liberals understand that there is a general principle not to hypothecate revenue received from fines, but do not accept that principle in regard to fines paid for proven speed camera offences. Given that speed is such a large contributor to car crashes which cause death and injury, we believe the revenue from speed cameras should be quarantined to be used for road safety measures, including public education and physical infrastructure.

Driver Education

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that any person who has had his or her driver licence suspended or who has been disqualified from driving because of an accumulation of
offences or a particular offence, should be required to undertake a short course which relates to driver behaviour.

In Government, advice would be sought from other jurisdictions which have had success with this initiative in improving driver behaviour.

Driver Training

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that, as well as sanctions to deal with driving offences, a responsible State Government would support incentives to encourage novice drivers to undertake professional training in defensive driving.

One incentive would be a rebate on the fee for a full driver licence upon providing proof of successful completion of a course which has been accredited by the State Government.

Safe Drivers

Consistent with our dual ‘incentive and sanction’ approach, the Tasmanian Liberals believe that there should be a rebate on driver licence renewal fees for drivers who can prove they have no driving convictions for the previous five years in any Australian jurisdiction, and who are not facing any unheard charges.

Black Spots

Permanent speed cameras should be installed at black spot sites which have been proven by police statistics to be common sites of crashes. The Tasmanian Liberals recognise that there is a cost for such equipment, so therefore the cameras would be rolled out over a period of time. In the interim, all recognized black spot sites in Tasmania should be sign-posted to alert road users.

Double demerits

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that it is time for Tasmania to join other Australian States in adopting a Double Demerit Point system for public holidays, including:

* On long weekends – when either a Monday or a Friday is a public holiday;
* Christmas – from 23 December until 2 January; and
* Easter – from midday on the day before Good Friday until midnight on Easter Tuesday.

Offences which would be covered include:

* Speeding;
* Not wearing a seat belt;
* Not wearing a motorcycle helmet; and
* Riding in the back of utilities, trucks, etc.

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that all measures to decrease speeding and dangerous driving during holiday periods and long weekends must be considered, and they should be adopted if they have proven successful elsewhere.

Experience in NSW and WA, which have both had Double Demerit systems for a number of years, has shown that fatal crashes and crashes overall decrease during Double Demerit point periods.

The Double Demerit point period would be advertised widely in the three Tasmanian daily newspapers on the day preceding the period, and on television and radio. As this Double Demerit initiative is centred on road safety, fine penalties would remain the same during the periods, and after three years, the Double Demerit point system would be reviewed by the Road Safety Council or other properly qualified people to assess its effectiveness.

Highway Patrol vehicles

Our Commitment – We will:

* Convert 12 vehicles to high visibility markings for Highway Patrol use in the first year of a Hodgman Liberal Government – i.e. 3 per Traffic Division. Remaining Traffic Division cars will be upgraded in the following year.
* Upgrade all other operational police vehicles to ‘suburban high visibility’ markings progressively over a five year period, as vehicles are replaced.

The Need

In the ongoing battle between Police versus Bad Drivers, the drivers are clearly winning.

They have little fear of detection and behave accordingly.

We need a ‘muscled up’ approach to highway policing that clearly serves notice that Tasmania Police – supported by the Government – are determined to win this battle.

Just over 70% of the operational Tasmania Police fleet are fitted with police lights and/or markings.

However, current vehicle markings vehicle colour does not sufficiently distinguish them from other special use Vehicles used by such agencies as Customs, Transport Inspectors, the State Emergency Service and private security firms.

In addition, police vehicles are not easily recognisable from a reasonable distance or in poor light.

This low level of visibility increases the potential for accidents, and has consequences both for officers and the travelling public.

Four-lane Midland Highway

The Midland Highway and Bass Highway form part of the National Highway Network and are the major freight and passenger route in Tasmania. Between 2001 and 2005 almost 40% of all Tasmanian crashes occurred on the National Highway (Bass and Midland Highways). Over the past 5 years, the Tasmanian Corridor Strategy has found that Tasmanian container freight has grown by 10.5% a year, but even with a more conservative 6% a year growth, Tasmania would experience a doubling of container freight in 10 years (by 2017).

Whilst population growth is not great, Tasmanians are moving from the centre of towns to urban fringes. The Strategy finds that there will be increased passenger travel. Passenger travel for education and services will also increase. Patient transport and travel by University of Tasmania staff and students are prime examples. General Freight transport by road is expected to double over the next 20-25 years. Tasmania will continue to have the highest level of car ownership per capita of any State.

Between 2005 and 2030, freight movements are forecast to increase by 70% and passenger movements by 40%. Freight carried by rail is forecast to increase by over 120% over the same period. Historically, the Port of Hobart was the main trading port for Southern Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Corridor Strategy has found that over the last 20 years, the Hobart port’s throughput has significantly declined, while the freight task between Southern Tasmania and the northern ports has continued to increase with more than 30% of containers leaving our northern ports originating from the south.

State and Federal governments have recognised this trend with the progressive upgrade to dual carriageway of the Bass Highway between Devonport and Burnie (now completed).

Since the Tasmanian Liberals committed to a long-term four-lane Midland Highway plan, Labor has made many incorrect and deliberately misleading claims about the project, effectively seeking to sabotage efforts to attract federal funds for this project and sending a message that Tasmanians don’t deserve quality infrastructure.