Re: The Federal Budget - Rail forgotten?? by its own Industry??

["Grahame Ferguson" <grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au>]

Rail did not rate a mention in the Financial Review, or the Herald-Sun, nor
on the electronic media.
Despite the Commonwealth not having constitutional powers over Railways, the
Commonwealth can give money to who ever it likes.
It certainly takes money from the Railways in the form of diesel fuel
excise, a position that will be exacerabated when the GST(Get Stuffed
Trains) is passed.
The GST will only favour the Road transport lobby.

The point is that Railways are not politically sensitive at the moment, so
why should Peter Costello have to give a cent to the Rail  Industry.

When John Fininin(I know not the correct spelling) of GSR, went public on
the state of the Victorian western standard gauge, well things got done.
Has any Rail Industry spokes-person gone public pre or post budget???
NO, the silence continues on and on.
Australasian Railway Association where are YOU!!??

The Road Lobby and the RACV, NRMA etc are always on the TV, grinding their
point away.

GF