Did Sturges Fail to Seek New Rail Funding?

MEDIA RELEASE

Did Sturges Fail to Seek New Rail Funding?

The Tasmanian Greens said that today’s derailment at Rhyndaston, which takes the total to 20 since early 2007, shows the extent to which the Bartlett Labor Government has a failed rail-dependent businesses and leaves its plans to revive the imperilled rail network in tatters.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that the Minister Graeme Sturges must release exactly what he sought through the Federal Infrastructure fund to assist in the upgrading of the rail network, saying that the Minister’s lack of disclosure can only lead to the conclusion that he failed to seek additional funding.

DERAILMENT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON BARTLETT GOVT’S FAILURE TO SECURE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS

Did Sturges Fail to Seek New Rail Funding?

The Tasmanian Greens said that today’s derailment at Rhyndaston, which takes the total to 20 since early 2007, shows the extent to which the Bartlett Labor Government has a failed rail-dependent businesses and leaves its plans to revive the imperilled rail network in tatters.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that the Minister Graeme Sturges must release exactly what he sought through the Federal Infrastructure fund to assist in the upgrading of the rail network, saying that the Minister’s lack of disclosure can only lead to the conclusion that he failed to seek additional funding.

“Whilst the cause of the latest derailment is yet to be confirmed, it is obvious that the number of derailments in not decreasing, in fact the severity of them is increasing, which highlights the urgent need for additional new funding to bring the decrepit sections of line up to scratch as soon as possible,” Mr Morris said.

“It is clear that Minister Sturges has either not sought funding for rail upgrades or that his submission was not up to scratch because there is no new funding from the Federal Budget to restore the railway lines to safe operational condition.”

“What doesn’t the Bartlett government get about the fact that the rail network is critical infrastructure?”

“It is critical for Tasmania to meet the economic challenges head-on as well as the challenges posed by climate change.”

“The Tasmanian rail network is part of the national infrastructure and does qualify for, and need, urgent federal funding and it is becoming evident that the Labor Government has either not sought new funding or has failed to do the costing work that is required before the Federal Government is willing to allocate funds.”

“Minister Sturges has failed the business sector in Tasmania that relies on rail transport by his failure to secure federal funding to bring the railway network up to a safe operating standard that enables freight to get to its destination on time and intact.”

“Because Minister Sturges has failed to disclose his funding application made to Infrastructure Australia we will now need to seek this critical information through the Freedom of Information system,” Mr Morris said.

Tim Morris MP
Greens Infrastructure Spokesperson
Friday, 15 May 2009
For Comment: Cath Hughes, Media Advisor, 0419 886 304
www.tas.greens.org.au

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