>The Federal Budget made no mention of the Alice Springs
>to Darwin Railway, which probably shows what most
>people were thinking all along, the Feds are not really
>interested.
>
>However the Minister for Railways in the NT Government
>Barry Coulter said on TV and Radio last night that the
>NT Government would make an application under the
>Federal Governments "Federation Projects" fund for a
>financial commitment to North South Transcontinental
>Rail link.
>
>Bye
Yes, and Howard really told us of what HE thought of the Alice
Springs to Darwin Railway when he referred to the 1 Billion
Federation dollar fund as NOT a slush fund for such a thing as a
Railway, that should have been built years ago.
I don't like the way he compares a most important Railway with a slush
fund. What does he mean by that type of comparison ?
I / we realise that there are some other things that should be done ,
BUT , what else are they going to use 1 billion dollars for ??
Surely this particular Rail link is a most important link , why do
they bicker so much and (try to) "pass the buck" ?
When it comes to building such a Project, the Federal Government and
State Governments should simply "get down and get on with it " .
NO , we don't need outside assistance , we shouldn't even be looking
for it , we are capably of doing it ourselves. Aren't we ?
Telstras' clear profit for the last year would cover the cost with
some change to spare.
They really do have a blinkered vision (couldn't think what else to
call it) on this country, makes you wonder doesn't it.
Considering the size of this country, where have all the railways gone
and for what reason. There should be more of them to get the country
opened up and moving .
After building this North-South link, the possibilty of connecting to
some of the other "dead end" sections should be looked at.
For example -
the top (or near top) of the line in QLD across to meet this new
North-South line.
the West Australian lines continued around .
etc etc
Then again, that might be a little out of their thinking ability.
I see that they are talking about an election tonight.
Do you see this as I see it , in as much that the `push' for the
North-South Railway would have to start all over again with a new
goverment in power.
End result - more wasted time and probably put off again for another
unknown amount of years. And so the circle starts again.