Re: Federal Budget- Nothing for the Nation's Railways!

[Bruce Greening <norrail@optusnet.com.au>]

David Bromage wrote:

> David Bromage wrote:
> > ANDERSON GIVES UP ON RAIL
> >
> > This Budget is proof that the Transport Minister, John Anderson, is not
> > capable of delivering rail reform, Shadow Transport Minister, Martin
> > Ferguson said tonight.
>
> The Minister replies.
>
> $111m for NSW rail held up by lack of reform, says Anderson
>    CANBERRA, May 22 AAP - NSW would lose $111 million for upgrading
> mainline rail unless the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
> could make arrangements for managing interstate track, Transport
> Minister John Anderson said today.
>    "The Commonwealth is prepared to provide $111 million to the
> ARTC in the form of an equity injection that will enable it to fund
> rail initiatives in NSW when it reaches agreement on suitable
> access arrangements and develops a sustainable base supporting that
> investment," Mr Anderson said.
>    "Despite significant effort, the ARTC has been unable to
> establish suitable arrangements for managing the NSW component of
> the interstate track through state rail agencies.
>    "As a result, no money has been released from the program to
> fund rail initiatives in NSW."
>    The government has set aside $250 million over four years to
> fund mainline upgrading across the national network, with the
> largest proportion earmarked for the Melbourne-Brisbane corridor.
>    Mr Anderson said a recent report by the ARTC on the performance
> and investment needs of the national rail freight system
> highlighted the importance of the system being managed as a single
> network.
>    "I see no reason for the Commonwealth continuing to invest in
> track improvements when states are not prepared to make the
> necessary track management changes that will turn state rail
> systems into a national network," he said.
>    "Consequently, $111 million provisionally allocated ... (for)
> NSW will be available only upon success in securing satisfactory
> progress in NSW on track management reform."
>    Mr Anderson said reforms in Western Australia, South Australia
> and Victoria had led to federally funded projects that resulted in
> improved transit times and reliability and boosted rail's market
> share.
>    AAP fh/daw/mg/br

In other words, the feds have given up any hope of meanigful reform in NSW.
The formation of RIC has been a major step away from reform.

--
Bruce L. Greening

Norrail@optusnet.com.au
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~norrail