❓ Question regarding the McGowan government's Metronet railcar investment and its support. The Minister's answer highlights the government's commitment, criticizes the previous government's approach, and defends the Metronet plan against accusations of promoting urban sprawl.
AnsweredQoN 632Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRONET — RAILCARS
632. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's massive expansion of the Perth rail network through the
delivery of Metronet. Can the minister outline to the house how this government's
significant investment in the next generation of railcars will support that
expansion; and can the minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone
who does not support this expansion of the government's railcar
manufacturing strategy?
632. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's massive expansion of the Perth rail network through the
delivery of Metronet. Can the minister outline to the house how this government's
significant investment in the next generation of railcars will support that
expansion; and can the minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone
who does not support this expansion of the government's railcar
manufacturing strategy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Southern
River for the question. He is a great supporter of Metronet both in his
electorate and across Western Australia. This morning the Minister for Housing
and I outlined our exciting Metronet agenda in a speech to the Committee for
Economic Development of Australia. It was great to see the member for Nedlands
there, and the member for Moore, Colin Love, also appeared there. Colin was
very excited about our Metronet agenda, so that was very good. I note the
member for Nedlands was very excited when we put up the graphic of the inner-city
college because, remember, it was his idea. When we talked about Subiaco east,
he was very excited because it was the idea of the member for Nedlands.
It is an exciting program, and it is
giving some certainty to industry. That is a key point. We have a plan, and we
are executing that plan. The railcar project was the example the Premier
outlined of how having a guaranteed program and certainty can encourage local
industry. The previous government did ad hoc orders to continue the
manufacturing facility in Queensland. It did not get value for money, and it
had no plan. There was one instance when the previous government put $5 million
of a $1 billion program in the budget for new rolling stock, and then pulled it
out six months later. Industry was very angry and upset about that, because it
was going to plan for something and then it was stripped away.
Mr D.C. Nalder : What about
the cost–benefit analysis?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : It is funny
when you guys talk about cost–benefit. I find it hilarious.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman, it is not question time for you.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : This
government is building 72 kilometres of new rail lines and 246 railcars. That
includes the railcars for the Metronet expansion and also to replace the A-series.
We will have expanded capacity on the north–south line and across the
network.
Mr D.C. Nalder : Feeding urban
sprawl.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Urban sprawl?
This is funny, member. Do you support the rail line to Byford?
Mr D.C. Nalder : Yes, I do.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The member
supports it now. The opposition does not know where it is with Metronet. During
the election campaign, it loved the Byford rail line. Now, outside of election
campaigns, it believes we are feeding urban sprawl. If the member does not
know, the people are there, and we are making sure that we deliver first-class
rail services to everybody in the community, even including people in the outer
suburbs, because we believe they deserve first-rate public transport.
River for the question. He is a great supporter of Metronet both in his
electorate and across Western Australia. This morning the Minister for Housing
and I outlined our exciting Metronet agenda in a speech to the Committee for
Economic Development of Australia. It was great to see the member for Nedlands
there, and the member for Moore, Colin Love, also appeared there. Colin was
very excited about our Metronet agenda, so that was very good. I note the
member for Nedlands was very excited when we put up the graphic of the inner-city
college because, remember, it was his idea. When we talked about Subiaco east,
he was very excited because it was the idea of the member for Nedlands.
It is an exciting program, and it is
giving some certainty to industry. That is a key point. We have a plan, and we
are executing that plan. The railcar project was the example the Premier
outlined of how having a guaranteed program and certainty can encourage local
industry. The previous government did ad hoc orders to continue the
manufacturing facility in Queensland. It did not get value for money, and it
had no plan. There was one instance when the previous government put $5 million
of a $1 billion program in the budget for new rolling stock, and then pulled it
out six months later. Industry was very angry and upset about that, because it
was going to plan for something and then it was stripped away.
Mr D.C. Nalder : What about
the cost–benefit analysis?
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : It is funny
when you guys talk about cost–benefit. I find it hilarious.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman, it is not question time for you.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : This
government is building 72 kilometres of new rail lines and 246 railcars. That
includes the railcars for the Metronet expansion and also to replace the A-series.
We will have expanded capacity on the north–south line and across the
network.
Mr D.C. Nalder : Feeding urban
sprawl.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Urban sprawl?
This is funny, member. Do you support the rail line to Byford?
Mr D.C. Nalder : Yes, I do.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The member
supports it now. The opposition does not know where it is with Metronet. During
the election campaign, it loved the Byford rail line. Now, outside of election
campaigns, it believes we are feeding urban sprawl. If the member does not
know, the people are there, and we are making sure that we deliver first-class
rail services to everybody in the community, even including people in the outer
suburbs, because we believe they deserve first-rate public transport.
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