❓ Hon Steve Martin asks about the progress of the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement program, specifically regarding the Narrogin to Kulin railway line, rail sidings, and the Midland Freight Line upgrade. The government confirms all deliverables are completed and uses the opportunity to criticise the Liberal and National parties' past privatisation of the rail network.
AnsweredQoN 1094Legislative Council
Asked
11 December 2025
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Sport and Recreation
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the State Infrastructure Strategy - Implementation Progress Report 2024 , and I ask : (a) what is the status of the Western Australian Government action "Continue implementing the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement program", described with the deliverables: (i) finalisation of a business case assessing the viability of the progressive recommissioning of the Narrogin to Kulin Tier 3 railway line; (ii) finalisation of project proposal reports for release of funding for various rail sidings; and (iii) finalisation of a project management and delivery plan for upgrade of the Midland Freight Line to 19 TAL?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 February 2026
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Sport and Recreation
Response time
5 days
(a) All deliverables have been completed.
25 years ago, the Nationals and the Liberals sold out regional Western Australians by selling Western Australia’s freight rail network.
Since this reckless privatisation of a monopoly asset, the network has fallen into disrepair, and our regional roads have had to take up the slack. Even users who want to put their freight on rail have been unable to because of the current structure.
On 23 January 2025, the Cook Labor Government announced its intention to negotiate to bring the freight rail network back into Government hands. This was backed by key groups including CBH, the CME and AMEC.
But instead of standing with growers and drivers of our economy, the Liberals and Nationals called our plan ‘disingenuous’ and a ‘knee-jerk reaction’.
This came as no surprise. For all their talk about putting more freight on rail, it was the Nationals and the Liberals who closed the Tier 3 rail network, and put more trucks on regional roads.
This Government won’t be lectured by the Nationals and Liberals about the importance of freight on rail.
25 years ago, the Nationals and the Liberals sold out regional Western Australians by selling Western Australia’s freight rail network.
Since this reckless privatisation of a monopoly asset, the network has fallen into disrepair, and our regional roads have had to take up the slack. Even users who want to put their freight on rail have been unable to because of the current structure.
On 23 January 2025, the Cook Labor Government announced its intention to negotiate to bring the freight rail network back into Government hands. This was backed by key groups including CBH, the CME and AMEC.
But instead of standing with growers and drivers of our economy, the Liberals and Nationals called our plan ‘disingenuous’ and a ‘knee-jerk reaction’.
This came as no surprise. For all their talk about putting more freight on rail, it was the Nationals and the Liberals who closed the Tier 3 rail network, and put more trucks on regional roads.
This Government won’t be lectured by the Nationals and Liberals about the importance of freight on rail.
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