FOR the second time in six years, the Victorian Labor Party has overwhelmingly backed the re-establishment of passenger rail to Mildura.
At the weekend’s state Labor conference, a room of over 600 delegates supported an urgency resolution to meet the passenger rail and freight rail needs of communities on the Mildura line.
It was made by first-time delegate Tony Alessi, with the backing of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, and the Health and Community Services Union.
He acknowledged support for improved freight services and Mildura passenger rail’s return had previously been endorsed by the conference in 2017.
“I think it’s all about continuing the voices, they obviously pile up and if you’re getting more and more voices, they have to start paying attention,” Mr Alessi said.
“Doing nothing is not an option, certainly with freight, it is not an option.”
The weekend’s conference was the first Labor has been able to hold in Victoria in three years, allowing the party to iron out policy direction.
Close to 80 urgency resolutions were raised at the conference, primarily focused on social and community justice issues.
“Public transport to a remote community is seen as a social justice issue and I think most people in there accepted that,” Mr Alessi said.
“The Labor party prides itself in quality public transport for all Victorians, and I just think we need to remind them that we’re part of Victoria.”
During the motion, Mr Alessi noted the numerous submissions, proposals and cost/benefit analyses which had previously been provided to the state government.
“There is an enormous groundswell of support for the obvious fairness of us having a rail passenger train,” Mr Alessi said.
“The minister really needs to start listening and finding out what some of the possible solutions are.”
Mr Alessi noted policy adopted by the party at conferences wasn’t necessarily reflective of the government’s stance.
“It gives the government some ideas about what the electorates need, what the communities need,” Mr Alessi said.
“You would hope that that gets transferred into their forward planning.
“The lack of a train inherently effects the disadvantaged groups of our society more than anybody else.”
He said he is prepared to work with Member for Mildura Jade Benham to continue to push the issue.
“I think if we work together as a community and we work together, it increases our chances of achieving stuff,” Mr Alessi said.
“If we keep fighting each other we’re not going to have any hope.”
