Federal Government Must Answer Questions About Rail Infrastructure
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, must treat Hills residents with respect and not engage in political games involving billions of dollars in funding for rail infrastructure for North West Sydney, said the Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.
“We urgently need a North West rail line, yet Mr Albanese still persists with the Gillard Government mantra about only funding an Epping to Parramatta rail link,” Mr Hawke said.
“This current version of the Epping to Parramatta rail link was a hastily cobbled together election announcement in 2010. It fails to take into account the urgent transport priorities facing all of North West Sydney.
“Mr Albanese must reconsider this funding and allow it to be used for a North West rail line should an O’Farrell Coalition Government be elected in New South Wales on March 26.”
Mr Hawke said he was concerned that the Gillard Government is treating the Hills community with the same disdain we have been treated by the New South Wales Government for the last 16 years.
“In early February of this year I put questions to Mr Albanese about the North West rail line and the construction of an Epping to Chatswood rail link on the House of Representatives Notice Paper,” Mr Hawke said.
“I am yet to receive a response from the Minister. Hills residents sitting in their cars in congested traffic, or waiting for buses to the City, want action. Surely it is not asking too much for the Federal Government to respond to the concerns of our community. “
Mr Hawke said he was a strong supporter of the policy of New South Wales Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell, to make construction of a North West rail line a priority.
“Following 16 years of New South Wales Labor Government, there are critical infrastructure projects in need of funding support throughout our State, including the North West rail line, as well as an Epping to Parramatta rail link,” Mr Hawke said.
“But for more than a decade Labor has broken its promises to construct a North West rail line. We are out of time, our transport infrastructure is choking and we cannot wait any longer for New South Wales Labor to honour their commitments.
“Mr O’Farrell has made it quite clear that a North West rail line is a higher priority for a New South Wales Coalition Government than an Epping to Parramatta rail link. Mr O’Farrell is taking this policy to the election on March 26.
“It would be crass for Mr Albanese and the Federal Labor Government to ignore the will of the public should an O’Farrell State Government be elected.”
Mr Hawke said he was deeply concerned that this was a sign that the Federal Government was now looking for excuses not to spend the $2.1 billion already committed for a Parramatta to Epping rail link.
“From recent reports Mr Albanese seems to be avoiding a sincere discussion on Sydney’s transport needs.
“Funding for rail infrastructure is not about semantics, it is about the greatest need, and the greatest need is for a North West rail line,” Mr Hawke said.