The Nationals WA have labelled the Cook Labor Government’s plan to ‘buy-back’ WA’s rail network as desperate and disingenuous.
Nationals Candidate for Central Wheatbelt, Lachlan Hunter, said the uncosted commitment was nothing more than a hollow promise from a Government which has failed to deliver for regional WA over the past eight years.
“WA Labor doesn’t care about regional WA except in the weeks leading up to the election,” Mr. Hunter said.
“Labor’s empty announcement offers no details on the cost to taxpayers, how it will be funded, or how it will facilitate the long-term management of the network for its various stakeholders, including our vitally important grain freight network.”
Mr. Hunter said Labor’s light-touch regulatory approach to the freight rail network in WA had failed, but buying back the rail network was not the only solution.
“The Cook Labor Government has done nothing over the past eight years to improve the regulatory framework to allow easier rail access for freight users. This knee-jerk reaction to promise a buy-back without addressing the underlying issues does not provide a solution.
“The Transport Minister has been singularly obsessed with Metronet while failing to do a single thing to improve freight efficiencies and road safety outside of the metro area.”
Mr. Hunter said current rail contracts were not set to expire for almost 25 years, with proponent ARC Infrastructure on record saying it will not hand back any part of the rail network.
“This makes the Government’s announcement not only unrealistic, but misleading.
This Government has a history of making grandiose election promises which it fails to deliver on when they become too difficult – and this will be no different.”
Mr. Hunter said Labor has shown no genuine plan or investment in WA’s vital road and rail infrastructure since coming to power in 2017.
“This is particularly evident in the Central Wheatbelt, where freight which should be moved by rail is instead burdening regional roads. The poor condition of Great Eastern Highway is a perfect example of the damage caused by road freight, making it unsafe for all users.”
Mr. Hunter said The Nationals in Government would work with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive, informed plan that prioritises investment in rail infrastructure, maintenance of our regional road networks, and collaboration between government and private industry.
