>Hello to all,
>>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.
The sad thing about all of this is that it isnt really the Federal Govts
responsibility to build railways, (at least not under the current regime that
exists.)
Whilst in the past the Federal Govt has seen fit to do so,ie the TAR and the
CAR,and it has chipped in money to fund other railway projects,like guage
standardization,etc it is the States and the Territories responsibilty to
build Railways.
Naturally of course they would prefer that the Federal Govt did it.
Once the Federal Govt sells off AN and its share of NRC then there will be zero
motivation for any more federal funds going into any Railways anywhere.
The only real solution for Railways in Australia is a National Railway System
not unlike the National Highway system which is funded by the Federal Govt
from fuel excise .
This will never happen of course , as the States simply will never agree to
give up control of "THEIR" Railways.
Basically the rot started after federation when all the States decided to go
there own way regarding Railways and they still do,(zero cooperation between
the States regarding Railways.)
The only hope now for Railways in Australia is to hope that the States decide
to ditch their Railways and privatise them, at least private Railway Companies
know how to run Railways.
Dont hold your breath though, it may take another 100 years or so.
Maurie Daly.
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Maurie Daly
Department of Communications Lab.
Canberra
Australia
mauried@commslab.gov.au
ph 6 2791331
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