❓ A Member of Parliament questions the Minister for Transport regarding the impending closure of tier 3 rail lines, alleging a broken election promise and seeking an extension of funding. The Minister deflects responsibility, citing a contractual agreement and ongoing regulatory processes.
AnsweredQoN 485Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TIER 3 RAIL LINES — CLOSURE
485. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the impending closure of
the tier 3 rail lines on 30 June, even though the government made an election
promise to keep all viable lines open.
(1) Is the
minister aware of comments by Brookfield Rail CEO, Paul Larsen, that the time
line for closure of tier 3 is government policy?
(2) Will the
minister extend the life of these lines by providing funding for them to remain
open for another six months so that the Economics and Industry Standing
Committee can complete its report into these rail lines and the current harvest
can be cleared?
(3) Why has the minister broken his
promise?
485. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the impending closure of
the tier 3 rail lines on 30 June, even though the government made an election
promise to keep all viable lines open.
(1) Is the
minister aware of comments by Brookfield Rail CEO, Paul Larsen, that the time
line for closure of tier 3 is government policy?
(2) Will the
minister extend the life of these lines by providing funding for them to remain
open for another six months so that the Economics and Industry Standing
Committee can complete its report into these rail lines and the current harvest
can be cleared?
(3) Why has the minister broken his
promise?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) We
have talked about this issue in the house a number of times. This is a
contractual agreement between two parties—Co-operative Bulk Handling
Ltd and Brookfield Rail. We have little opportunity to extend that. That is a
decision that will be made between CBH and Brookfield Rail. They have been
before the Economic Regulation Authority, and its decision was expected to be
handed down in April but has been deferred until the end of this month, which
has made it difficult for CBH and Brookfield to reach a decision. It is not the
position of government to interfere with that process, particularly while it is
before the court. There is very little we can do. We would rather see the
railways remain open. However, this government has put $120 million into
regional road funding to ensure that those freight routes can handle the
movement of trucks. After speaking to CBH, I am aware that it has been working
very hard to get as much of the grain shifted as possible. I am hopeful that
the two parties will eventually achieve a positive outcome.
have talked about this issue in the house a number of times. This is a
contractual agreement between two parties—Co-operative Bulk Handling
Ltd and Brookfield Rail. We have little opportunity to extend that. That is a
decision that will be made between CBH and Brookfield Rail. They have been
before the Economic Regulation Authority, and its decision was expected to be
handed down in April but has been deferred until the end of this month, which
has made it difficult for CBH and Brookfield to reach a decision. It is not the
position of government to interfere with that process, particularly while it is
before the court. There is very little we can do. We would rather see the
railways remain open. However, this government has put $120 million into
regional road funding to ensure that those freight routes can handle the
movement of trucks. After speaking to CBH, I am aware that it has been working
very hard to get as much of the grain shifted as possible. I am hopeful that
the two parties will eventually achieve a positive outcome.
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