Re: Cost of Alice Springs to Darwin.

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <340620ab.6629063@news.powerup.com.au> rwilke@can.i.have.the.spam.ham.bacon.egg.sausage.and.spam.without.the.spam.spam.or.spam.au (Roy Wilke) writes:
>From: rwilke@can.i.have.the.spam.ham.bacon.egg.sausage.and.spam.without.the.spam.spam.or.spam.au (Roy Wilke)
>Subject: Re: Cost of Alice Springs to Darwin.
>Date: Fri, 29 Aug 1997 01:14:47 GMT

>On Wed, 27 Aug 1997 10:40:31 GMT, mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie
>Daly) wrote:

>(snip)

>>I think the issue is whether the Railway should be built based solely on 
>>economic grounds which is what most dopey journalists seem to be pushing.
>>You can make up your own minds about whether completing the line would be 
>>worth it.

>Maurie,

>This government has spent its term, so far, pushing the "economically
>rational" line on all aspects of government administration. Spending
>has been cut in all portfolios in real terms, and "user pays" fees
>have been introduced to government services which have often already
>been paid for out of tax revenue.

>This philosophy makes no allowance for the old-style public service
>rationale which built the Trans-Continental railway in the pre WW-1
>years (it will most likely never be economically viable, but it's
>importance to the nation can not be measured in purely economic
>terms.)

>Now, suddenly, just before an election, the Alice Springs-Darwin
>railway idea has been resurrected. This is in direct contradiction to
>the philosophy espoused by this government.

>That is why "most dopey journalists" are pushing the economic issue,
>Maurie.

>The Railway is merely an election ploy, and, whatever the PM says now,
>will most likely be quietly forgotten after the NT election is
>finished.

Your almost certainly correct in the above , but what really bugs me about the 
journalists is that they seem forever to completely try and discredit any new 
rail projects as a complete waste of Govt money,yet they are strangely silent 
when it comes to other transport projects.
Take for example the proposed building of Badgerys Creek Airport in Sydney.
Current estimated cost (depending a bit on where it is built) , around the $4 
billion dollar mark.
Total cost to be met by the Federal Govt, ie the poor taxpayer.
You wont find 1 journalist who is questioning whether this cost can be 
afforded, ie whether an airport should be built at all, the only noise they 
are making is about where it should be built.
Why is it perfectly OK for the federal govt to spend billions of dollars on 
the Aviation Industry but if any small amounts are offered to Rail the Media 
cries foul.
Why do you think the Federal Govt hasnt asked for private sector financing or 
private sector involvement to build this airport as they are calling for to 
build the Alice - darwin rail line.

I just feel that transport , whether it be road, rail or air should be at 
least fairly treated in terms of funding, and that the dopey journalists 
should at least look at all the issues.

cheers
MD