Article: Katter slams LNP rail plan

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From the North Queensland Register click here!

Katter slams LNP rail plan

Katter slams LNP rail plan
09 Dec, 2011 12:19 PM

AUSTRALIAN Party candidate for Mount Isa Robbie Katter has blasted calls by the Liberal National Party's (LNP) Mick Pattel to duplicate the Mount Isa rail corridor.

Mr Pattel made the call in yesterday's The North West Star after the revelation five trains had derailed on the corridor in three months.

But Councillor Katter said it was "extremely hypocritical" for Mr Pattel to suggest the LNP would increase investment in services.

Cr Katter said the LNP was "just as likely to fully privatise" the rail system.

With privatisation would come a decline in standards of maintenance, he said.

"We're the only ones who are categorically saying no to privatisation," he said.

Meanwhile, the State Government has confirmed it is investigating the derailments, the majority of which have taken place near Julia Creek.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the department was awaiting a report by Queensland Rail on the incidents.

The spokesman said there had been "no significant increase in the number of derailments on the Mount Isa line in 2011 compared with previous years" but work was underway to upgrade the line.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan is scheduled to hold meetings with Queensland Rail officials today.