Parking: now feds want PS to pay Cathy Alexander Canberra Times
The Federal Government will introduce pay parking for its public servants, according to ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.
The move would see thousands of Government employees who currently park for free pay up to $70 a fortnight.
Workers at Defence in Russell or any of the government departments in the Parliamentary Triangle would be affected.
The public-sector union said its members would be outraged if there was a back-door deal to force them to pay for parking. A protest rally was being considered.
Pay parking could also affect private-sector employees and visitors to national institutions.
The decision to introduce pay parking at Commonwealth sites rests with the Federal Government.
Mr Stanhope, who supports pay parking, said yesterday he had been lobbied by federal Territories Minister Jim Lloyd.
"In my last two meetings with [him] the position that has been put to me is that the Commonwealth accepts the inevitability of paid parking within the Parliamentary Triangle."
He said Mr Lloyd also accepted that pay parking was needed at government offices at Russell and along Constitution Avenue.
A spokesman for Mr Lloyd expressed surprise that Mr Stanhope would speak on Mr Lloyd's behalf, but did not deny the claims.
"The Australian Government has not made a decision about the introduction of pay parking in the parliamentary zone at this time."
Mr Stanhope said it was not fair that public servants could park for free while other Canberrans had to pay.
"I don't think any citizen can stand up and say, 'I have a right to free parking when my peers in other locations are paying for parking."'
Pay parking would address the parking mayhem created in the triangle each weekday. There were too many cars and not enough spaces. Introducing pay parking would encourage some workers to catch the bus.
He said there should be a uniform parking regime throughout the ACT.
The National Capital Authority had pushed for pay parking in the Parliamentary Triangle for more than a decade, but the Federal Government had refused.
Mr Stanhope said it was possible the Government's change of heart related to the imminent opening of a commercial car park close to the triangle, which would mean it would have to pay fringe benefits tax for every employee who parked for free at its sites.
The Community and Public Sector Union's ACT regional director, Vince McDevitt, said it was not fair to force public servants on to buses and any attempt would be unpopular. The union would consider a petition, bumper stickers, meetings and a rally about the issue.
Mr Stanhope agreed the bus system needed to improve.
It was "almost certain" there would be more money for ACTION in future budgets.