Re: Whats happening with the VFT.

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

Maurie Daly (mauried@commslab.gov.au) wrote:
: Heard on the news this morning that the Feds are still debating whether the 
: VFT will go ahead or not.

Speedrail has made their final submission which includes a request for
tax concessions of about $1 billion. The Treasurer must have been slightly
concussed after being beaten about the head by the Nationals over the
regional wages remark, and is balking at the figure. This is despite the
no net cost to government proviso, meaning that the government would get
back more in taxes and charges than it would forego in concessions.

Tim Fischer was on 2CN (ABC Canberra) this morning supporting Speedrail
and lobbying for it to be extended to Melbourne and eventually Brisbane.
He also managed to bag Transrapid in the process.

The latest news is that other more urgent matters (i.e. Timor) have got in
the way and the Cabinet decision on Speedrail tax concessions has been
deferred until February.

Cheers
David