By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S Liberal and Labor MPs have accused each other of deceiving commuters over a series of public transport forums.
State Liberal Andrew Katos and federal conterpart Sarah Henderson hosted the first forum at Grovedale on Tuesday but three state Labor MPs labelled it a “political stunt” and said the event might confuse commuters about which forums were “official” or “unofficial”.
Christine Couzens, John Eren and Lisa Neville said the Liberal forum was hastily organised after the Andrews Labor Government announced “comprehensive community engagement” on Victoria’s first Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP).
The Labor MPs said they were concerned people would believe Tuesday’s event was an official forum that would contribute to improving train and coach services for Geelong.
“In reality, the forum is a political stunt by the state Liberal party, who did nothing for public transport in Geelong in four years in government, and the Abbott Liberal government, who has an ideological opposition to funding urban rail,” the MPs said in a statement.
They called on Mr Katos and Ms Henderson to “get on board” the Regional Network Development Plan.
The Labor MPs said their “official” community forum as part of the RNDP would be at Geelong West Town Hall from 7pm on 10 September.
A Torquay forum will be at the Surf Coast Hotel and Conference Centre from 10.30am on 11 September.
But Mr Katos, Member for South Barwon, said the Labor MPs’ forum had nothing to do with the timetabling issues that had commuters up in arms.
“This so-called official forum is about a long-term transport plan for the entire Barwon south-west region from Geelong to Warrnambool and Portland,” he said.
“If the Andrews Government had done its consulting right in the first place our forum wouldn’t have been necessary.
“We had more than 100 people come out on a cold night, from as far away as Lara, to Grovedale to discuss the numerous problems with the bus and rail timetable. The consensus was that people wanted a return to the old timetable.
“It seems clear that what we need is a combination of the old and new timetables, which will require a greater investment in public transport.”
Mr Katos said feedback from the forum would be collated and presented to Transport Minister Jacinta Allan.
The Liberals would host a second forum at Manifold Heights Baptist Church hall from 7pm on 8 September.
