NSW: Hens move easier, bus commuters more expensively

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2007
NSW: Hens move easier, bus commuters more expensively

SYDNEY, Dec 28 AAP - Layer hens will move a little easier, and Sydney bus commuters
more expensively, thanks to a few state government minor changes coming into effect in
the new year.

Sydney commuters using public and private bus services will have to pay up to 20 cents
more per ticket from next Wednesday, after the state government approved fare hikes in
mid December.

The average 3.6 per cent fare increase was based on a report by the Independent Pricing
and Regulatory Tribunal, and will mean the cost of some TravelTen tickets will rise by
up to $1.60.

However, bus fares in outer metropolitan areas of NSW such as the Blue Mountains, Illawarra
and Central Coast, will decrease, as costs fall into line with Sydney's pricing structure.

"The same way the family motor car costs a bit extra each year to run, so do buses,"

then acting Transport Minister Verity Firth told the city's disgruntled bus travellers.

While Sydney bus trips become that little more expensive, restrictions on the state's
layer chickens will become more relaxed.

The NSW government has promised improved conditions for layer hens, with an increase
in cage sizes from 450 to 550 square centimetres.

In November, national legislation was amended to increase the cage size in a move aimed
at improving the welfare of the birds.

And from January 1, NSW will come into line with other states, such as Queensland and
Victoria, which have already adopted the increased cage sizes in the amended Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Act (1979).

"Those hens will be able to move a little bit more freely within these larger cages
as per the national framework," Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said at the
time.

An unlikely alliance between the NSW Greens and Shooters party unsuccessfully opposed
the changes, saying the boost in cage sizes was insignificant.

AAP ab/hn/cjh/de

KEYWORD: CHANGES NSW

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