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

[David Bromage <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au>]

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