Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton has words for the industry after the Victorian election results came down not in his favour
The leader of the Transport Matters Party, Rod Barton, has commented on the Victorian election after he wasn’t re-elected for a second term.
Barton says his re-election campaign focused on the tough work we got done over the past four years as he fought for the most vulnerable in the community.
He says this type of work often fall through the cracks in Victoria and the state parliament often turns a blind eye.
Alongside an inquiry into homelessness, Barton says he has many highlights from his time in office.
“In May, I successfully moved a motion to introduce an independent tribunal that protects vulnerable transport workers by setting and enforcing minimum standards,” Barton says.
“Despite owner drivers technically being self-employed, we know that they hold little power in the way of bargaining and have long been exploited.
“In November, the Victorian government made a commitment to establish an independent, minimum standard-setting body that will have the power to enforce Safe Rates in Victoria. This independent body will protect the rights of thousands of workers in the transport industry.”
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Alongside these achievements, Barton says he is also proud of the inquiry that explored solutions to transport disadvantages that exist in regional and rural Victoria, alongside fighting to keep the school bus from Nagambie to Euroa.
“No one else cared about these issues, they aren’t trendy,” Barton says.
“I fought every day to bring these issues to the government’s attention and urge them to take action.”
Barton says he is disappointed he can’t keep working in state parliament to fight for transport workers, who he says are working in the nation’s deadliest industry.
“Drivers and operators often work for a rate of pay and in a set of conditions that most Victorians wouldn’t accept,” Barton says.
“These are vulnerable workers who are now without a voice in parliament.”
On his way out, Barton says everyone should be aware that transport workers are essential and deserve to be treated fairly by the regulator.
“I would like to thank all those individuals and organisations who do incredible work in the community and are committed to positive change,” Barton says.
“Although my time in parliament has come to an end, my motivation to address these issues continues.”