❓ Mr. Redman seeks a more specific timeframe for the government's decision regarding the Bunbury-Greenbushes rail line and its use for lithium mining. The Minister provides a vague response, citing industry dynamics and privatization challenges.
AnsweredQoN 857Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUNBURY–GREENBUSHES RAIL LINE —
LITHIUM MINING
857. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Transport:
I have a supplementary question. Can
the minister be more definitive than ''sometime next year'' about
when the community is likely to know the government's decision?
LITHIUM MINING
857. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister for Transport:
I have a supplementary question. Can
the minister be more definitive than ''sometime next year'' about
when the community is likely to know the government's decision?
AnswerView source ↗
We
are doing the work. The feedback I got yesterday was that there will be a decision
point next year. As I said, this is a complicated proposal, given, too,
the changing dynamics of what is happening in industry. We have also seen
government trying to work with industry, and over time industry does change
where the processing will be undertaken and the ports that it will be using. We
are also seeing some shifts in the composition of the lithium industry in
ownership structures and processing places. It is an ever moving sort of feast,
but we are absolutely working with industry and across government to get the
best outcome.
Of course, I have always, and WA
Labor will always, support more freight on rail. Across the metropolitan area,
we have been able to increase the amount of freight on rail from 15 per cent to
23 per cent for Fremantle port, and we are keen to pursue that across the
state. However, there are limitations. If that rail line had not been
privatised, member, it would be a lot easier.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The key point
is that when we privatise monopoly infrastructure across the state, it limits
and changes future decisions about that monopoly infrastructure. We are doing
what we can. Again, we are party to the entire project, but we are not the only
party. There are a number of different parties and different moving parts to
the equation.
are doing the work. The feedback I got yesterday was that there will be a decision
point next year. As I said, this is a complicated proposal, given, too,
the changing dynamics of what is happening in industry. We have also seen
government trying to work with industry, and over time industry does change
where the processing will be undertaken and the ports that it will be using. We
are also seeing some shifts in the composition of the lithium industry in
ownership structures and processing places. It is an ever moving sort of feast,
but we are absolutely working with industry and across government to get the
best outcome.
Of course, I have always, and WA
Labor will always, support more freight on rail. Across the metropolitan area,
we have been able to increase the amount of freight on rail from 15 per cent to
23 per cent for Fremantle port, and we are keen to pursue that across the
state. However, there are limitations. If that rail line had not been
privatised, member, it would be a lot easier.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The key point
is that when we privatise monopoly infrastructure across the state, it limits
and changes future decisions about that monopoly infrastructure. We are doing
what we can. Again, we are party to the entire project, but we are not the only
party. There are a number of different parties and different moving parts to
the equation.
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