Article: Once-passionate MPs quiet on trains

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Once-passionate MPs quiet on trains

Once-passionate MPs quiet on trains
Kathy Sundstrom 17th Jan 2013 5:43 AM

WHAT'S happened to our once-vocal Sunshine Coast MPs who promised to fight for the infrastructure the Sunshine Coast desperately needs?

Many rail commuters feel since the LNP has been in government, the response to the causes Sunshine Coast LNP members were so passionate about has been silence since they took government.

Member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell made the much-needed duplication of the railway line between Beerburrum and Landsborough his election issue.

But Transport Minister Scott Emerson's office said on Monday this was on hold.

"We have not yet committed to duplicating this line due to the debt left by Labor," the spokeswoman said.

Rail advocate Jeff Addison's response was this was "absolutely terrible".

"I am bitterly, bitterly disappointed on hearing that. I'm devastated at the abandonment of the Coast critical infrastructure," he said.

Mr Powell sent the Daily a response yesterday, saying he remained "passionate about the need to provide Sunshine Coast commuters with a more efficient rail service by way of the North Coast rail duplication project".

However, "as a Minister in the Newman Government, I am equally committed to delivering projects on time and within a budget, something Labor failed to do time and time again".

"The first thing we need to do is improve the state's financial position and pay off Labor's debt. I stand by my commitment, and I will continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues to do that," he said.

Mr Addison believed all six Sunshine Coast MPs needed to fight for rail infrastructure.

"We were neglected by the former government and now it seems to continue," he said.

"If you look at Palmview and Caloundra South, there is a plan to bring another 85,000 people to the Coast within 10 years, but there is (no plan) to have the public transport network (updated) in that time," he said.

"There won't be enough jobs on the coast for these people, they will have to travel to Brisbane to find work, too."

It's not only state MPs who've been notable by their silence. Federal funding would be required to make the duplication of the century-old railway line a reality.

Mr Addison was in contacted Member for Fisher Peter Slipper last February in the hope he could use his position as Speaker to help gain federal funding for the railway line is in his electorate.

But while Mr Slipper continues to take home his salary for representing the people of Fisher, his office has been silent since the James Ashby saga.

The Daily could not get a response from Mr Slipper.

[red dragin]

Didn't Can-dig-a-road-tunnel say his ministers had 6 months to blame Labour for everything, then they couldn't use that excuse anymore?

[Stillwater]

Deathly silence all round, even from Mr Slipper.  An interesting response from the shameless Mr Powell, however.  He said he remained 'passionate about the need to provide Sunshine Coast commuters with a more efficient rail service by way of the North Coast rail duplication project'.

Is it too much to believe that using those words indicates that the state may be exploring joint government funding options other than Queensland funding the NCL duplication 100 per cent on its own.  It would be possible, for instance, to enter into an agreement with the feds for them to contribute on a 50:50, or some other, basis, with the feds funding a first phase of an upgrading 100 per cent, with the Queensland Government following immediately afterwards with its 100 per cent contribution to a phase of equal monetary value.

The SCD is to be applauded for its campaign.  With LNP members on the coast all acting like zombies, it may be up to the media (or maybe even a community group of local SC leaders, mayors, business leaders etc to be formed) and to push this matter with government.  The local members won't, as the rubbish words from Mr Powell reveal.

By developing an 'action plan' model, and publicising it, the government will be placed in a position where it will be forced to quash it, or be seen to be rejecting it, which goes against what Mr Powell said before the last election.  The party will be seen to be abandoning its Member, and that is not a good look.

Mr Powell would be made to be seen lonely among his constituents, as potent politically as a eunich in a harem.

[colinw]

The LNP also need to be reminded that many of us who live outside the Sunshine Coast will be watching this and other issues, and forming our decision as to who to vote for at the next election accordingly.

The Sunshine Coast electorates may be safe LNP, but rest assured many others (including mine) are not, and could easily fall to ALP or even Greens at the next election.

[Stillwater]

I think that is the key, Colin.  The LNP played on the politics of this big time at the last election, and that is where they have taken the argument.  Until they put it on some sort of different footing, such as within the context of a freight rail study for the NCL, that is where the battle must be fought.  I have inquired about hiring a billboard on Steve Irwin Way, in Mr Powell's electorate, for three months (leading to a state election) and it is surprisingly cost-effective.  Putting Mr Powell's words on the board, so that they haunt him, may move him, as may the disillusionment of his constituents seeing what he said contrasted with what he has done since (nothing).

[Arnz]

Personally rather the Coast actually get out of their lemming minded LNP vote for once and vote for their local Independent, that way it forces "both" parties to draw attention should coast seats fall to various independents overnight.

[somebody]

Have they even made a submission to Infrastructure Australia about the NCL?

[mufreight]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Once-passionate MPs quiet on trains

Once-passionate MPs quiet on trains
Kathy Sundstrom 17th Jan 2013 5:43 AM

WHAT'S happened to our once-vocal Sunshine Coast MPs who promised to fight for the infrastructure the Sunshine Coast desperately needs?
Member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell made the much-needed duplication of the railway line between Beerburrum and Landsborough his election issue.
But Transport Minister Scott Emerson's office said on Monday this was on hold.
Mr Powell sent the Daily a response yesterday, saying he remained "passionate about the need to provide Sunshine Coast commuters with a more efficient rail service by way of the North Coast rail duplication project".
However, "as a Minister in the Newman Government, I am equally committed to delivering projects on time and within a budget, something Labor failed to do time and time again".
"We were neglected by the former government and now it seems to continue," he said.

Funny under Labor the three major rail infrastructure projects were all delivered ahead of time and under budget.
Corinda - Darra track amplification
Darra - Richlands\Caboolture - Beerburrum

The argument for the realignment and duplication of the NCL between Beerburrum and Nambour goes far beyond the needs of NCL commuters, at the present time this bottleneck is inhibiting the operation of freight services to the north of the state with freight being forced on to an already overtaxed and unsafe highway system resulting in higher freight charges for northern residents and businesses.
If this point is persued effectively with all of the Government members along the NCL through direct contact, letter writing and the media the nervious nellies of the LNP will very quickly push to have something done to rectify the matter.

[Fares_Fair]

Reader poll

What would you say to the government about our train service?


Sunshine Coast Daily on-line poll results


I understand your position    7%

I think you could do better  23%

Fix it or lose my vote          69%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

[achiruel]

Shouldn't the Feds contribute some funding, as I believe the NCL (to Townsville at least) is part of the National Transport Network/Auslink or whatever it's called these days.

[mufreight]

My understanding is that about three years ago the Feds offered some funding but the then Government wanted to play politics and wanted the Feds to pay the full costs.

[Stillwater]

The politics is an impediment, that is for sure.  Mr Powell and Mr Emerson continue to say the SCL/NCL can't be upgraded because of Labor's financial mismanagement.  Feds and state government of different political colour, so expect more politics.

Perhaps a 50:50 funding split could involve feds money being spend in first 2-3 years (while state recovers financially), followed by state spending for 2-3 years.

[Fares_Fair]

Newsprint version, compliments of the Sunshine Coast Daily.
Thursday January 17, 2013
p5.

[Fares_Fair]

Newsprint version, compliments of the Sunshine Coast Daily.
Thursday January 17, 2013
p4.

Apology for the PDF advertising logos in the top corners of the page, original file was 501kb !
"Missed it by that much" as Max would say.