Emerson scraps Labor ban on train station water bubblers

Water bubblers will remain on Queensland train stations under the Newman government.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said he was ending Labor’s policy of removing and not replacing damaged water bubblers at train stations.

“I was made aware of the policy, which was introduced under former Transport Minister and current opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, on Friday and scrapped it on Saturday,” Mr Emerson said.

"I have also directed that water bubblers be re-installed at stations where Labor's policy saw them removed.

“The LNP is a passenger-focused government and that means making public transport as affordable, reliable and frequent as possible.

“It also means giving passengers access to proper facilities and a drink of water while waiting for a train.

“By removing bubblers Ms Palaszczuk was simply giving in to vandals who spent their time damaging station property.

“I’m not interested in pandering to fools and will be tackling vandalism and graffiti at our stations head on.

“I recently joined Premier Campbell Newman and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to announce that Queensland Rail would join the BCC and Police initiative Taskforce Against Graffiti.

“The previous Labor Government refused to include Queensland Rail in this partnership, however the close working relationship between all agencies will be the key to tackling these issues.

"We knew that as Transport Minister Ms Palaszczuk's failures included record low affordability, the lowest reliably in three years and four million fewer trips on public transport.

"We can now add banning water bubblers at train stations to her record of failure."

[ENDS] 13 May 2012
Media contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625