OPINION
OVER the past 18 months I’ve been working closely with industry stakeholders, farmers, and community members who have an interest in the future of rail freight transport in Victoria.
I’ve repeatedly fought on their behalf, taking their views to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is well aware of the importance of this project.
Their views have informed my position that the Murray Basin rail network needs to be fully standardised, as originally promised by the Andrews Labor Government. In 2016 and 2017 the Commonwealth Government committed $240 million dollars to the state’s full standardisation plan.
The failure of the Andrews Government to improve this state-owned asset and deliver its original plan has been well documented. The government wasted taxpayer dollars and now we are left with a dilapidated system that is worse than ever before.
The Victorian Government is responsible for the works so far, and the completion of future works. Through its revised business case, it has reneged on the full standardisation.
It’s clear the government has not listened to industry and affected stakeholders, who see full standardisation as an absolute necessity.
To add salt to the wound, Victoria has offered only $48.8 million to complete its project and is putting its hand out for another $195 million from the Commonwealth Government out of desperation.
Compare this amount to the $11 billion committed to the Metro Tunnel, and the $2.2 billion for early works on stage 1 of the Suburban Rail Loop, to connect Cheltenham with Box Hill, which doesn’t even have a detailed business case.
That’s $48.8 million for a major freight rail network that is in desperate need of repair because of the work Victoria has done, in the largest food-producing region in the state, and $2.2 billion for a new rail connection between two Melbourne suburbs that are 20km apart. Just let that sink in for moment, and ask what are the priorities of this State Government.
It is clear the government doesn’t care about supporting regional industries and creating jobs in the bush and doesn’t care that there will more trucks on our roads, and doesn’t care about positive outcomes for regional communities. There is always plenty of additional money for city projects, while only a pittance for projects in the country.
The Andrews Government owes it to Victorians to outline a plan for full standardisation of the Murray Basin Rail Project.
