Whilst thumbing through the latest edition of Network rail (35/2) I came
across an interesting article on page 17 'rail inquiry hits the road'.
The article concerns the Federal Government's 'inquiry into the role of
rail in the National Transport Network'
Buried in the text is the following;
ARA member Patrick Rail Operations described current rail funding as
'totally inadequate' for a national transport asset competing with road
freight'.
Maybe if the current port dispute is ever solved amicably, the money
earmarked for the redundancies at Patrick's port operations by the
Federal Government could be redirected towards rail improvements and in
particular lines such as the Melbourne to Adelaide standard gauge line.
If the Government is to be believed that it it serious about improving
overall efficiency within the Australian economy then it follows that
upgrading of the rail network is a high priority, particularly in view
of the amount of farming produce that either is or could be carted by
rail. I think Patricks might support this position.
cheers Peter