Opening of new Morley bus station

1/7/94

The $2.5 million spent by the Federal Government for the Morley Bus Station was actually taken from Transperth, Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today.

Speaking at the opening of the new bus station, Mr Charlton said the Federal Government actually took $5.8 million from public transport in Western Australia in fuel tax in the last 12 months.

"While the new bus station is an impressive and much-needed facility it is a contradiction for the Federal Government to be slapping itself on the back by giving back some of the money it took from us to build it," Mr Charlton said.

"If the Federal Government was genuine about supporting public transport it would not take it away in the first place.

"The money from fuel tax should be returned so we can do something about roads, constructing priority bus lanes and more park-and-ride facilities."

Mr Charlton said the fanfare the Federal Government was making over the opening of the Morley Bus Station was a sham considering the massive revenue collected in past years.

He said it was about time the Federal Government got real and stopped making announcements with mirrors.

"After all, it was WA's money in the first place," he said.

Mr Charlton said he would support moves for State public transport fuel tax levies to be abolished if the Federal Government would do the same.

He said if the annual State fuel levy of $1.5 million Transperth had to pay was added to the $5.8 million it had to pay the Commonwealth, Transperth would have an extra $7.3 million to pour into facilities."

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595 or 321 2222