# ?Adding Melbourne?s timetables to Google Transit will be very # welcome, but otherwise, the government is treating public # transport timetables as though they were a state secret,? # said Mr Bowen. ?This information ultimately belongs to the # public and should be freely available to anyone who has an # interest in using such data.?

Of course that rumoured addition never happened. Data did appear very briefly on this VIC government website from 2010 (for the "app my state" competition) but it didn't last:

There was an episode of Stilgherrian's Patch Monday podcast that looked at a similar temporary GPS data service and API for Sydney's buses. While not free software centric the episode does cover a few of the issues that the NSW transport authority had in providing such GPS data as an ongoing service. Those interested in the subject may like to have a listen. Cheers Tim Hamilton -- Vote NO in referenda.