22 May 2013 | NINE News | Ferries from Penny Sharpe on Vimeo.

Direct ferry services from Parramatta to the city are to be scrapped as part of a shake up to the network.

Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013
Thursday 23 May 2013

I rise in support of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013.

After thousands of emails both for and against,

After reading many stories and many thousands of words in the material presented both for and against,

After working my way through the bill,

After attending briefings and

After sitting with and hearing the stories of people with terminal illnesses and their families and friends, I have no difficulty whatsoever with supporting this bill.

I fear that at this time - in this place - the bill will not find the level of support to make this legislation a reality.

I acknowledge that there are deeply held views by members in relation to assisted dying.

I acknowledge that the model at this time being put forward is not something that some members can support.

I acknowledge that for some members there are no circumstances where they believe that the state can put in place the safeguards that would make them be able to reconsider their opposition to assisted dying.

I sincerely hope that after this bill has been dealt with there can be a better process that would allow members in this place to fully unpack the issues that legislation like this throws up and that in the future we can find the support required to support the rights of the terminally ill.

The crisis in security on our rail system has commuters worried, as transit officers are replaced by an understaffed Police Transport Command

Media Release | Monday, 20 May 2013

POLICE SHORTAGES ON THE RAIL NETWORK PUTTING COMMUTER SAFETY AT RISK

The safety of commuters is being put in jeopardy following revelations the NSW Police Transport Command has been left below strength and understaffed – despite the O’Farrell Government sacking hundreds of transit officers who previously provided security on the rail network.

New figures show that as of May 3, the NSW Police Transport Command was understaffed by 101 full time police officers – leaving the command operating at only 75 per cent capacity.

There are supposed to be 401 full time police officers patrolling the train network, but currently there are just 300.

Media Release | Monday, 20 May 2013

PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS IN THE NORTHERN TABLELANDS FORGOTTEN

COMMUNITY FORUM HELD IN ARMIDALE

Shadow Minister for Transport, Penny Sharpe hosted a public meeting in Armidale today to give the Northern Tablelands community a chance to have a say about public transport.

“Last year the State Government released the much anticipated Transport Masterplan, but it has little in the way of public transport for communities outside of Sydney,” Ms Sharpe said.

“The Transport Masterplan is focussed on road projects for the New England area - virtually ignoring public transport in this region.

“I know the community is concerned about what the Government’s changes to regional rail services will mean for the region. 

“CountryLink services on the North Western Line haven’t met on time running benchmarks at all this year despite CountryLink having an aim to have 78% of services arrive at their destinations within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.