❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Transport about manufacturing new railcars for the Forrestfield-Airport Link in WA. The Minister avoids a direct commitment, citing ongoing investigations into the best railcar options and highlighting the government's current railcar procurement and job creation efforts.
AnsweredQoN 770Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FORRESTFIELD–AIRPORT LINK — LOCAL RAILCAR MANUFACTURE
770. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Minister for Transport:
I draw to the minister's attention the need for more
passenger railcars as a result of the proposed extension of the rail line to
the airport and Forrestfield, as confirmed by him in the second reading speech
of the Railway (Forrestfield–Airport Link) Bill 2015. Will he now
provide a commitment to this house that the extra passenger railcars will be
manufactured here in Western Australia; and, if not, why not?
770. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Minister for Transport:
I draw to the minister's attention the need for more
passenger railcars as a result of the proposed extension of the rail line to
the airport and Forrestfield, as confirmed by him in the second reading speech
of the Railway (Forrestfield–Airport Link) Bill 2015. Will he now
provide a commitment to this house that the extra passenger railcars will be
manufactured here in Western Australia; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I am pleased that the member for Cockburn is acknowledging
the great work this government is doing in public transport and the extension
of the line to Forrestfield. It is something that I know the communities in the
eastern suburbs are really looking forward to. I have also said that this
government not only lays the track, but also looks at integrating all the modes
of transport and how everything works together, and part of that is purchasing
railcars—something that was forgotten at another time when a certain
rail line was constructed. We are in the process of completing a railcar order
at the moment. We currently have a new three-car set coming onstream every two
months and we will do so until the end of next year. These are the B-series
railcars. That means that this government will have increased the rail fleet by
over 28 per cent. Again, these are the little things that members opposite do
not think about when they talk about their transport plans into the future;
they think it is all about laying track.
We have also committed to investigate the next series of
railcars—the C-series railcars. It involves a $1.2 billion purchase
over a 10-year period. We are going out to investigate to make sure that we get
the best railcars in the world delivered for this state. We want the best,
because we have a dynamic city that is growing and transforming. The people of
Western Australia deserve the best. We will look at the efficiency and
effectiveness of all the railcars that exist and see what is the best option to
make. We still have to go through that process. I am not going to give any
commitments or guarantees until that investigation work has been conducted.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Do
you want me to call you to order for the second time?
Mr D.C. NALDER : We
have an arrangement for a lot of the assembly work for the current railcars to
occur in Western Australia. This government has seen that happen. The member
for Cockburn forgets what we do to create employment for Western Australia.
Members opposite fought against a lot of things. I have heard the member for
Cockburn argue against the railway extension and the second phase. That will
create 2 000 jobs in Western Australia. If they were serious about jobs in
Western Australia, they would look beyond the argument that he is making. It
goes quite wide. We are creating jobs in Western Australia. We have every right
to be proud of the creation of jobs that we are delivering in Western
Australia.
the great work this government is doing in public transport and the extension
of the line to Forrestfield. It is something that I know the communities in the
eastern suburbs are really looking forward to. I have also said that this
government not only lays the track, but also looks at integrating all the modes
of transport and how everything works together, and part of that is purchasing
railcars—something that was forgotten at another time when a certain
rail line was constructed. We are in the process of completing a railcar order
at the moment. We currently have a new three-car set coming onstream every two
months and we will do so until the end of next year. These are the B-series
railcars. That means that this government will have increased the rail fleet by
over 28 per cent. Again, these are the little things that members opposite do
not think about when they talk about their transport plans into the future;
they think it is all about laying track.
We have also committed to investigate the next series of
railcars—the C-series railcars. It involves a $1.2 billion purchase
over a 10-year period. We are going out to investigate to make sure that we get
the best railcars in the world delivered for this state. We want the best,
because we have a dynamic city that is growing and transforming. The people of
Western Australia deserve the best. We will look at the efficiency and
effectiveness of all the railcars that exist and see what is the best option to
make. We still have to go through that process. I am not going to give any
commitments or guarantees until that investigation work has been conducted.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Do
you want me to call you to order for the second time?
Mr D.C. NALDER : We
have an arrangement for a lot of the assembly work for the current railcars to
occur in Western Australia. This government has seen that happen. The member
for Cockburn forgets what we do to create employment for Western Australia.
Members opposite fought against a lot of things. I have heard the member for
Cockburn argue against the railway extension and the second phase. That will
create 2 000 jobs in Western Australia. If they were serious about jobs in
Western Australia, they would look beyond the argument that he is making. It
goes quite wide. We are creating jobs in Western Australia. We have every right
to be proud of the creation of jobs that we are delivering in Western
Australia.
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