The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has called on the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan to stop blocking her attempts to meet with Public Transport Victoria (PTV) managers in Gippsland.
“Constituents have raised many issues with me around public transport in different parts of Gippsland,” Ms Bath said.
“When I attempted to set up a time to discuss with local PTV officials, I was told they were happy to meet with me but that my request would need to go through the Minister.”
“Such formality shouldn’t be necessary for discussing every single government-related matter, but there’s a process to follow, so I did.”
“The Minister has now said I need to meet with planners in Melbourne and that I can’t meet with PTV managers in Gippsland.”
“Isn’t the whole reason for departmental regional offices so that they can deal most effectively with regional issues?”
“Many concerns have been raised with me, including bus services in Newborough and Yallourn, issues with bus routes in Traralgon and the worsening situation of delays on train and bus-replacement services from the Latrobe Valley to Melbourne.”
“Having discussions with PTV managers at the local level seems logical.”
Ms Bath raised the issue of access to Gippsland PTV managers in parliament last week and Minister Allan has 30 days to respond.
