Re: GST & the Budget

["Andrew Honan" <ahonan@wr.com.au>]

I wonder what is actually going to make the states give up their
infrastructure.
In particular the NSW minister for transport Carl Scully.

The RAC CEO has recently resigned and the RAC is being re-organized along
freight lines and urban lines. I know the RAC is a firm believer in
'vertical dis-integration'. The draft productivity commission report saw
merit in vertically integrated regional freight lines, while having a
one-stop shop for interstate rail infrastructure.
The victorian freight model  is a vertically integrated one where rolling
stock is sold and infrastructure is leased to the operator.

I wonder what the NSW government will now do??

Carl Scully wanted a full land transport council that considered both rail
and road but apparently the Fed's didn't want to do it???


AH
Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in message
news:mauried.331.3751BFF9@commslab.gov.au...
> In article <3750eccf@nap-ns1> "Grahame Ferguson"
<grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au> writes:
> >From: "Grahame Ferguson" <grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au>
> >Subject: GST & the Budget
> >Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 16:58:58 +1000
>
> >The only good news now for Rail is that it does not have to pay a
> >'road tax' from July 1 2000, otherwise the big trucks still benefit.
>
> >The main issue is that there is NO new infrastructure for Rail.  To be
fair
> >to Rail, the fuel excise already paid the past financial year and the
excise
> >to be paid in the present financial year should be invested in new track.
I
> >doubt whether any Senator with the balance of power even thought of
giving
> >something back to the Rail Industry at all.
>
>
> Umm , there is new investment in rail.
> Crossing loops across the TAR and in Victoria on the SG to Adelaide are to
be
> lengthened,and currently the SG line between Gheringhap & Maroona is being
> relaid and reballasted.
> Obviously not a lot , but better than nothing.
> Currently the rail infrastructure which is the Fed Govts responsibility ,
ie
> Albury to Parkeston , is in the best shape of all the other rail
> infrastructure in the country. (the NE SG is a bit lacking though where it
> hasnt been relaid.)
> I wouldnt hold your breath though for federal funds flowing
> to fix up railways which are State responsibilities,and why should they,
after
> all the States with the crummiest track namely NSW & WA are also the
states
> that have been so uncooperative with the Feds in the creation of ARTC.
>
> MD
>
>
>
>