❓ WA Minister for Planning and Infrastructure argues WA receives unfair rail funding from the federal government, citing disproportionately low allocation from a national rail infrastructure program and calls for bipartisan support to petition for a fairer share.
AnsweredQoN 122Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister please advise whether the federal government is providing its fair share of rail funding to Western Australia? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and his profound interest in rail. We thought that members opposite had gone to sleep. As soon as we start talking about rail, they all get excited and whipped up! The government will have a rail question every week because it is the only way we can raise members opposite out of their slumber. The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and his profound interest in rail. We thought that members opposite had gone to sleep. As soon as we start talking about rail, they all get excited and whipped up! The government will have a rail question every week because it is the only way we can raise members opposite out of their slumber. The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
I thank the member for his question and his profound interest in rail. We thought that members opposite had gone to sleep. As soon as we start talking about rail, they all get excited and whipped up! The government will have a rail question every week because it is the only way we can raise members opposite out of their slumber. The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and his profound interest in rail. We thought that members opposite had gone to sleep. As soon as we start talking about rail, they all get excited and whipped up! The government will have a rail question every week because it is the only way we can raise members opposite out of their slumber. The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
I thank the member for his question and his profound interest in rail. We thought that members opposite had gone to sleep. As soon as we start talking about rail, they all get excited and whipped up! The government will have a rail question every week because it is the only way we can raise members opposite out of their slumber. The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The Gallop government has made an investment of $10 billion in infrastructure over the past four years. It has committed a further $8 billion over the next three years. The strategic investment is being made to ensure that Western Australia remains the powerhouse of the nation. When it comes to transport funding, Western Australia continues to be short-changed by the federal government. Particularly of late, we have heard a lot of pontification by the federal government about transport infrastructure bottlenecks. All we hear is pontification and rhetoric. We get very little practical help. Despite our contribution to the national economy, most members will be shocked to hear - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, I know that you want me to get on with answering the question, but I crave your protection from the member for Nedlands. The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The SPEAKER : It is very difficult when the minister stands and criticises opposition members for not being vocal during question time and then objects to them becoming vocal. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Point taken. Mr Speaker, the federal government has a long-awaited rail infrastructure program of $1.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion will be spent in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The total share that Western Australia will get from that program is $14 million; that is 0.8 per cent - not even one per cent of the total pie. The government calls on all members of this house to help us petition the federal government to give us a fair go. We have made an application for an upgrade of the east-west standard gauge line, which has been one of the great success stories of rail in this country. In fact, 80 per cent of the freight travelling east-west goes on that rail line. However, we need $45 million to re-sleeper the line with concrete sleepers and to construct additional crossing loops so that additional slots can be scheduled for the freight trains. We are seeking a contribution from the federal government of about $30 million. Even if we got $30 million, we would have a total of 2.5 per cent of the national pie. I reckon that that is not good enough, but at least it is a start. We therefore call on all members of this house, particularly National Party members, to get out there and support us. We know our big problem is that the National Party has created a fiefdom of the transport portfolio at a federal level. It cannot deliver in this instance because there are no federal party members - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The National Party’s favourite dish, as we all know, is pork barrel topped with a little bit of gravy train. We ask all members of this house to support us by telling the federal government that it is about time we got a better share of the rail infrastructure money available across the country.
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