❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett on the lack of federal funding for the MAX light rail project and the broken promise of delivering it by 2018. Barnett responds that the federal government prioritizes road funding and the state will fund the rail project.
AnsweredQoN 49Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRO AREA EXPRESS LIGHT RAIL
49. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's broken promise in delivering
the Metro Area Express light rail by 2018 and the evidence given last week to
the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee that
no representations have been made by the Western Australian government to the
commonwealth since the federal Liberal government withdrew the $500 million in
funding for Perth public transport.
(1) Why has the Premier not asked the Abbott government for
the $500 million originally promised?
(2) When was he going to get around to asking for the funding
to fulfil his biggest election promise?
49. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the Premier's broken promise in delivering
the Metro Area Express light rail by 2018 and the evidence given last week to
the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee that
no representations have been made by the Western Australian government to the
commonwealth since the federal Liberal government withdrew the $500 million in
funding for Perth public transport.
(1) Why has the Premier not asked the Abbott government for
the $500 million originally promised?
(2) When was he going to get around to asking for the funding
to fulfil his biggest election promise?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
The Abbott government did not promise $500 million. The previous government may
have talked about it, but the Abbot government has not promised it.
Mr M. McGowan : So
you're not even going to ask.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Just listen to the answer. Prime Minister Abbott has made it very clear that
the direction of commonwealth funding on urban transport infrastructure will be
in the area of roads, not rail. That is the reality. His commitments on road
projects have been very good and they are proceeding. The cost of the rail
project to Forrestfield and the airport and the MAX light rail will fall to the
state government. The Leader of the Opposition talks about broken promises. He
can do that. The program has been deferred. Probably the original timetable was
unrealistic.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
One thing that is for certain is that this government is going to build the MAX
light rail.
The Abbott government did not promise $500 million. The previous government may
have talked about it, but the Abbot government has not promised it.
Mr M. McGowan : So
you're not even going to ask.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Just listen to the answer. Prime Minister Abbott has made it very clear that
the direction of commonwealth funding on urban transport infrastructure will be
in the area of roads, not rail. That is the reality. His commitments on road
projects have been very good and they are proceeding. The cost of the rail
project to Forrestfield and the airport and the MAX light rail will fall to the
state government. The Leader of the Opposition talks about broken promises. He
can do that. The program has been deferred. Probably the original timetable was
unrealistic.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
One thing that is for certain is that this government is going to build the MAX
light rail.
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