>Maurie Daly wrote:
>>
>>
>> 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.)
>The Commonwealth is obliged, under the terms of the Northern Territory
>Transfer Act of 1911 to build a railway from South Australia's northern
>border
>to Darwin. It has no choice. It also has no time limit.
>This matter was arbitrated in the Privy Council which found both the
>obligation
>and the lack of time limit.
You are totally correct of course, the point that I was making is that in
respect of the existing interstate network, if indeed there is one,there is no
obligation for the Federal Govt to provide any sort of regular funding.
As an interesting aside, the previous Transport Minister in the Previous Govt
did offer the States a funding deal similar to what they get for the National
Road program for National Rail infrastructure if they accepted the same terms
and conditions as they did for the road funding.
One of these conditions was uniform safeworking and driver accredidation
thruout the States.
You can guess what the response was.
What would happen as a matter of interest if a private company built a Railway
from Alice Springs to Darwin, is the Federal Govt still obliged to also build
a Railway?
cheers
Maurie Daly
cheers
Maurie Daly