As Labor and Liberal Parties Finally Get Onboard and Support Long-held Greens’ Policy
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today said that the proposal for a light passenger rail service in Hobart’s northern suburbs is now set to move to the next stage following last night’s successful public meeting on the issue, and the commitment from all three political parties to support the proposal.
Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP, who attended last night’s meeting along with Greens Denison MP Cassy O’Connor, said the Greens took support for a light passenger rail service to the 2006 election and have included it in their Alternative Budgets ever since, so the decision by the Labor and Liberal parties to finally get onboard and support a this proposal is long overdue and very welcome.
Mr Morris also said that the Greens are still extremely critical of the Bartlett Government’s decision to delay the overdue Urban Passenger Transport study until the election draws closer, and accused the Denison Labor MP’s Lisa Singh, Graeme Sturges and David Bartlett of prioritising their electoral fortunes over the needs of residents in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
“It is fantastic that all three political parties are now supporting a proposal for a light passenger rail service through Hobart’s northern suburbs, and the Greens believe that an Optimisation Study is now required as the final step to assess the revitalising of the rail corridor and address issues such as the number and location of new stations along the corridor, bus links and parking areas,” said Mr Morris.
“Congratulations to Ben and Kristie Johnston for their excellent work and lobbying to get their specific proposal past the first base and to a point where the concept of light passenger rail is now being taken seriously by all key stakeholders including all political parties.”
“The Greens have spent years pushing for a light rail service in Hobart’s northern suburbs and last night’s meeting makes it clear that this proposal is now set to move to the next stage.”
“What is desperately needed now is a commitment from the Bartlett Government to retain the Hobart railyards precinct so that it can be redeveloped to allow for freight from south of Hobart to continue to be transferred to ships or rail and facilitate modern and efficient passenger and tourism rail services, before any decisions are made to excise any of the area for any other purposes.”
“The Bartlett Government’s decision to delay the urban passenger study to give themselves a good news announcement in the lead-up to the election is outrageous. It is about time the Labor Party, and especially Lisa Singh, David Bartlett and Graeme Sturges, started governing for the people instead of for their re-election,” said Mr Morris.
Tim Morris MP Greens Infrastructure spokesperson
