A BILL FOR
An Act to establish an intercity public transport network for Tasmania, linking the major centres and major regional areas by an efficient, affordable and integrated public transport network.

Be it considered by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Youth Parliament of Tasmania, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

Short Title
1. This Act may be cited as the Sustainable Intercity Public Transport for Tasmania Act 2010.

Commencement
2. This Act commences on the day after the day on which it receives Royal Assent

Interpretation
3. In this Act, unless the contrary indication appears –
“Department” refers to the Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources;
“Minister” refers to the Minister for Infrastructure;
“public transport” or “public transport system” refers to a transportation service which is accessible to all and which can be either privately or publicly owned
“Taskforce” refers to The Public Transport Development Taskforce
“integrated” refers to a system which links with, and complements, the existing routes and timetables of currently operating public transportation providers.
“cost-efficient” and “value for money” means that the identified solution must provide a demonstrable return on investment after an appropriate amount of time.
Public Transport Development Taskforce
4. A Taskforce is to be established, the Public Transport Development Taskforce (PTDT) under the jurisdiction of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources.

5. The Taskforce is to consist of no less than four members, appointed by the Minister.
6. Whilst undertaking its investigation into the issue, the Taskforce is required to have a period of public consultation whereby any interested party, including industry bodies, current operators and users of public transport, shall be permitted to provide a written statement or request an interview.

Role of the Taskforce
7. The Taskforce is to develop a plan for a public transport system to link initially the major regional centres of Tasmania. Major regional centres must include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie but may include other areas should the Taskforce believe they should be included.

8. The Taskforce is to assess each possible plan against the objectives identified in Clause 10.

9. The Taskforce is to present its report to Parliament within twelve months of its creation and must present an interim report within seven months of creation.

Objectives of any Proposed Public Transport System
10. Any proposed public transport system must –
i. Reflect the needs of the citizens of Tasmania;
ii. be environmentally friendly and efficient;
iii. be integrated with existing systems of public transportation in Tasmania’s cities and towns;
iv. be cost-efficient and represent value for money for Tasmanians;
v. utilise as much as possible the existing resources, private and public, of Tasmania, including, but not limited to: rail facilities, road facilities and the services of other operators;
vi. be affordable to access for all users including those of lower income.

Reporting
11. The Taskforce must keep both Parliament and the public informed of their progress including, but not limited to,
i. Quarterly progress reports to Parliament
ii. Biannual public reports.

Final Recommendations
12. The Taskforce must have completed their investigation within twenty-four (24) months and provide parliament with a complete and comprehensive report detailing their recommendations.

Media Release
YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIANS LAY DOWN THE LAW

The dust is still settling from the first day of intense debate at the 2010 Youth Parliament.
The debates featured guest Speakers Tim Morris, M.H.A. and Paul Harris M.L.C.
Mr. Harris sat in on a bill mandating new drivers to undertake a two day defensive-driving course within six months of obtaining their provisional licenses. The bill struck a chord with the long-time Youth Parliament supporter, who was surprised to see it fail to pass through the house.
“I think it addressed matters of safety, and of better preparing drivers to get out on our roads,” he said.
“It raised issues like the need to better train people in terms of hazard perception, and the operation of their vehicles”
Despite not passing, the bill generated significant debate, and showcased the deep concern young people have for the dangers of driving. Several participants were moved by personal experiences with road-related tragedies. The bill was brought by a team from Hutchins.
WEDNESDAY
The 41 Youth Parliamentarians got stuck into some of the toughest issues in Tasmanian politics. A bill brought in by students from Collegiate seeking to standardise education on sex, ethics and religion between public and private schools was passed, after lengthy debate and negotiation.
The group also voted to legalise businesses providing sexual services. However they also imposed heavy restrictions on sex advertising, and banned brothels near schools and places of worship. The bill was authored by students from Hutchins, Friends and Fahan.
Not everything put to the Youth Parliament was passed, however. The chamber was unable to agree on a bill which would have required all Tasmanians to regularly donate blood without a valid exception. While the House agreed that there was a need for increased donations, the plan set out by the Launceston Church Grammar team proved too strict.
A bill which would have forced Tasmanians to sit a test on the state’s political system before being able to vote was also rejected. Despite this, there was widespread support for one of its provisions, which would have expanded Tasmania’s House of Assembly to 35 seats. The bill was brought by a team from the Hutchins School.
THURSDAY
First up on Thursday morning will be a radical bill which seeks to abolish juries. They would be replaced with a panel of judges, appointed through a reformed process. The Fahan and Hutchins students who wrote the bill are concerned that life-affecting decisions on criminal matters are being made by people with little-to-no legal knowledge.
A controversial bill to legalise surrogacy will follow. The bill would allow all singles and couples, including homosexual couples, to contract with surrogates to provide them with children. The bill is by students from Don College and Riverside High School.
Parliament will then consider a bill to implement mandatory community service for students. The bill, brought in by a team from Scotch Oakburn College, would force all students to volunteer for 150 hours in community service before they are given their Tasmanian Certificate of Education.
Fourth up, brought in by Launceston College, is a bill to promote local produce and community gardens. This bill seeks to promote fresh, local and high quality produce grown in community gardens over imported food sold in large supermarkets.
A sustainable passenger rail link between Tasmania’s major population centres is the subject of the day’s final bill. Don College students will propose the bill, perhaps in the hope of being able to visit Hobart more easily in the future.
DEBATE TIMETABLE FOR THURSDAY:
9:00am: Abolition of juries and judicial reform
10:00am: Legalisation of surrogacy
11:30am: Mandatory community service for students
1:30pm: Promotion of local produce
3:00pm: Sustainable intercity public transport