Public Transport Party ?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th June 2015

Public Transport Party ?

Good Morning,

It is clear that the both the LNP and Labor in Queensland have completely lost the transport plot.

We have a major developing transport crisis and it needs leadership and action to resolve.

Brisbane City Council continues to run rough shod over sound and proper transport planning and process.

Governments past and present lack the moral courage to address the myriad of issues. Spin and control by political staffers is the determinate.  Where are the leaders?

The time has come to consider the formation of a political party to try to help drive some satisfactory outcomes for our public transport network. The Public Transport Party (PTP).

Left to our Governments as they are, things will just continue down the path of failure.

We would like to be wrong about our transport future as it stands, but history shows the grim reality.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 16s

Latest media: ' Public Transport Party ? ' > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11505.msg157681#msg157681 ... #qldpol time for some real leadership & action

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times published 19th June 2015

Lobby group calls for Public Transport Party to be formed

[#Metro]

Just some notes: 

Registration of Political Parties
http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/partiesanddisclosure/politicalparties/registrationofpoliticalparties

Eligibility to register

Certain criteria must be satisfied for a party to be registered. The party must satisfy all of the following:

* a written constitution that sets out the aims of the party and complies with the Electoral Act 1992

* at least 500 members on the electoral roll or an elected member of parliament

* promote and endorse candidates for election to the Queensland Parliament

[colinw]

Single issue parties go nowhere as a general rule, but can be a useful wedge in marginal seats to get issues acted on.  Chance of getting elected is NIL.

[ozbob]

Thanks for the feedback.

The situation is now so desperate that desperate measures are called for ..



Mainstream politics is NOT delivering.

[colinw]

Sadly you are right.

We have seen a pro-PT single issue candidate wedge an issue quite nicely already, in the form of the "Where's Our Railway" candidate up Redcliffe way.

I think the Sunshine Coast is the natural place to begin.

[ozbob]

Sadly you are right.

We have seen a pro-PT single issue candidate wedge an issue quite nicely already, in the form of the "Where's Our Railway" candidate up Redcliffe way.

I think the Sunshine Coast is the natural place to begin.

[Stillwater]

 
As a comment though, why is it that, in Queensland, public transport policy and infrastructure planning and implementation always drips with politics?  This project is favoured over that one in a marginal seat ... policy is devised on the basis of 'wedging' your opponent.  Bugger the poor travelling punter.

It follows naturally the fight has to be taken to politicians on the ground where they have chosen to kick around the PT football.

Queensland has produced some strange pollies -- Bob Katter, Uncle Clive and Pauline Hansen.  Single issue candidates will have the effect of allowing people to register a protest vote and make seats marginal.  See above ^^.  Things seem to happen in marginal electorates.

Agree on SC being a hotspot fit for a PT party candidate or two.  Jeff Addison has met all qualifications for Beatification.  Becoming a state pollie would be a cakewalk.  He could set up his office in the Palmwoods station goods shed, and stop commuting -- except on Parliamentary sitting days.   

[colinw]

Nailed it with those comment Stillwater.  That is what s**ts me so much, it ALWAYS ends up being about the politics.

[#Metro]

As a comment though, why is it that, in Queensland, public transport policy and infrastructure planning and implementation always drips with politics? 

Lack of Fluoride in water perhaps?

I think it is the lack of fixed 4 year terms. That contributes hugely to instability as MPs just LOVE throwing out their predecessor's projects and starting all over again.

[techblitz]

im keeping a keen eye on the "affordable housing" party
public transport party is perhaps too "niche"....you would be better off trying to cover more bases and perhaps do "better transport" party or something along those lines.....put up some policies for all sections of voters....car,bus,train,truck,uber/taxi etc etc

[mufreight]

A peoples party would cover a wider spectrum with more appeal across the voting public, the key would be to keep the extreme political views out and have a rational program of attainable objectives which could cover Public transport in the south east of the state and other attainable agenda in other regions.
Might or might not win a couple of seats but would definitely focus the attention of the major parties.

[Gazza]

I've always thought it would be a laugh in those candidate debates to put a typical party candidate against someone who actually knows the basics of PT.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 8s

The old saying .. ' if you can't beat 'em join' em"

*Public Transport Party*

>> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11505.0 ...

#qldpol #auspol #springst #nswpol

[ozbob]

My local Member for Bundamba has ignored repeated requests to meet and discuss some basic improvements for Goodna railway station.

I think I will stand as an independent in that seat to highlight the fact that the Member does not respond.

You're welcome!

I will be looking for independent candidates to stand in other seats.  Be fun to to take part in candidate debates and shame their inaction hey?  As Gazza suggests. 

Any volunteers?  You are independent and you can do as you wish of course, but might be the only way we can get these fools to wake up, both LNP and ALP.

[Stillwater]

Both major political parties will be chasing votes in the marginal electorates -- seats marginal for both sides of the political divide.

Until the last election, the LNP's most marginal seat was Bulimba (lots of public transport issues there, eh)

Close behind was Waterford (poorly serviced by public transport)

These seats now on slim margins in favour of ALP -- Di Farmer and Ms Shannon Fentiman, respectively.

Maryborough is another tight seat on a knife edge, held by Bruce Saunders, ALP.  What PT issue would the good voters think important?

One of the ALP's most marginal seat is outside Brisbane (Mackay), held by Julieanne Gilbert, ALP.

Just need to focus in on the marginals - about 5 seats should bother the big parties.

[Stillwater]

Perhaps the new PT Party could support a policy of moving public servants and departments from Brisbane.  The other parties talk about this in general terms, but a PT Party could nominate the departments and where they should go:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships - relocated to Cairns
Environment and Heritage Protection - to Caloundra South (hehe), but Sunshine Coast
National Parks, Sport and Racing - to Ipswich
Natural Resources and Mines - to Mackay (marginal ALP seat)

What would be other PT Party policies?

[ozbob]

Trams in Queen St Goodna!     :bi

Buz the 524!

[ozbob]

And a few signs on Goodna rail platform would be nice, detailing the bus interchange facilities and services ...

And a fresh coat of paint for the water bubbler!!  WTG!!!

[ozbob]

Seriously though, it does seem that we are seeing some focus of attention on George St.  Let's see if this translates to the Sunny Coast line ...

[#Metro]

Don't you need 500 members for party status?

[ozbob]

Don't you need 500 members for party status?

Sure do, unless you get a sitting MP to lead it.

In any case, I am more interested in independents joining the transport debate ...  get a little tired of main stream parties ...

[#Metro]

Well, you could get party status via an existing MP. Perhaps a senator or other independant.

[techblitz]

And a few signs on Goodna rail platform would be nice, detailing the bus interchange facilities and services ...

And a fresh coat of paint for the water bubbler!!  WTG!!!

i wouldnt mind better access to the station from under the motorway instead of having to walk around the rsl to get to the station...

[ozbob]

Yo, simply putting a gate in the western park n' ride area would be easy.  One of the points I have saved for our local member if she ever decides to get interested ...

[techblitz]

 

[Stillwater]

PR Party policy ....

End the fuel excise exemptions and subsidy scheme for big business
Extra 2c a litre in fuel excise collected north of the Tweed, with that money going to PT

(Feds collect fuel excise, nothing stopping Anna and Malcolm entering into an arrangement whereby extra is collected in Queensland and passed to the state.)

Need to compensate remote Queenslanders who would have to pay extra 2c a litre for fuel, yet have no chance of benefitting from PT services.

Bring in this policy, which works in WA:

http://www.concessions.wa.gov.au/Concessions/Pages/Country-Age-Pension-Fuel-Card---travel-assistance-in-Western-Australia.aspx

(To maximise benefits, government could call tenders from fuel companies to run this scheme through their company-run schemes (ie Starcard), with the government subsidising the price of concession cards.  Companies would benefit through card-holders continuing to use the loyalty card for purchases beyond the concession card purchases.)

In smaller communities, a PT Party in government would purchase a community bus, to become part of a Shire Council vehicle fleet (for management and maintenance purposes), with volunteer drivers, suitably trained, running services decided through local community consultation.

No need for this:

https://www.ato.gov.au/business/fuel-schemes/fuel-tax-credits---business/

(It applies to big business.)

PT Party should bring in two policies -- a Queensland PT and Sustainable Transport Plan AND a Queensland Transport Finance Plan.  The first is meaningless, and is just a list of projects, without devising a plan for raising the money that would build the agreed projects.

[Stillwater]

Councils will hate this, but a Queensland Transport Party should advocate the passing of legislation that would require local councils to collect a $50 'state transport infrastructure levy' per household, per year, via annual rates notices.  Councils resent having to collect a tax on behalf of another level of government, but we should remember they exist at the whim of the state.  Local government is not recognised in the Constitution.

It would be good (and councils would hate this too), if they were further required to contribute dollar for dollar to the money raised towards a 'local infrastructure program', involving accelerated funding for bicycle paths, bus stops etc. (the stuff councils should be doing anyway).

Some councils already charge a transport levy, but many don't.  In country areas (small towns) it is very feasible to assist people get about through active transport means along a connected network of paths and footpaths.  (Queensland has a Bicycle Network Strategy but, as usual, no money to fund it.)

The alternative to this proposal would be a state land tax levy on every block of land in the state.  The down side is the administration of this program by the state.  Requiring councils to collect a levy is very efficient administratively.

We should get government used to talking about revenue-raising measures (and efficiencies, such as the Brisbane Bus Network review) at the same time as they tempt us with shiny infrastructure baubles.  A transport plan without a revenue stream to pay for it is mere wishful thinking.

A precedent exists with councils collecting an emergency services management levy. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bleijie-accuses-government-of-emergency-management-levy-cash-grab-20151013-gk8cmh.html

[Simon]

I think the only way people would support public transport improvements in Brisbane is if the improvement was part of a lower fare.

[ozbob]

Anyone can form a political party, however registering a political party is desirable to get the recognition needed on voting day etc.

Due to the abject failure of public transport policy from everyone in Government & Opposition I am giving a great deal of thought to formation of the Public Transport Party.

I have had a look at federal requirements (AEC > http://www.aec.gov.au/parties_and_representatives/party_registration/ ) and state.



It makes sense to me to do both (Federal & Queensland registration) if we were to proceed.

ECQ --> Registering a political party

https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/candidates-and-parties/registering-a-political-party

Draft example constitutions are available.

So the essential steps are draft a constitution.

Set up a web site.

Solicit for members.   Once membership thresholds reached formal registration could then be applied for.

[#Metro]

Is someone going to run for BCC Mayor?!

A few pro-bus reform councillors would not go amiss!!

[aldonius]

Oh wow, it's only 500 members for Queensland. (In NSW, which has a comparatively-easy-to-get-into Upper House, it's something like 1750).

Anyway, I imagine a few of us on here are already spoken for, but to everybody else -- give it a go, it's good fun! (for certain, non-standard definitions of fun).