Redcliffe Peninsula line & associated changes - rail

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Transport Minister narrowly avoids shunting over Queensland Rail crisis

AS TRANSPORT Minister Stirling Hinchliffe took in the thrills and spills of the Gold Coast 600 last Sunday, he likely hadn't imagined just how bumpy the road ahead for him this week would be.

He'd just dialled into an emergency session of the Queensland Rail board following the shock cancellation of more than 100 services two days earlier that had left commuters fuming.

But what came out of that session – a lack of any answers for how the rail operator became so caught out by its own staffing shortages – set the scene for a turbulent week for the Palaszczuk Government.

It has become obvious there will be no quick fix for Queensland Rail's driver crisis.

By yesterday, two QR board members had resigned and a senior public servant, who apparently failed to divert the crisis, had been stood down.

And the Minister was facing harsh questions about his own handling of the crisis.

The public was told the opening of the long-awaited Redcliffe Peninsula Line had confused processes, with rosters under strain as driver training on the new line hadn't been completed.

A signalling switchover that had seen the Caboolture line closed for a week while the new Redcliffe route came online had further pushed back the ability for drivers to learn the new route, and not enough staff were ready when it opened to great fanfare earlier this month.

But at platforms across the southeast, where commuters saw their services thrown into disarray, the excuses didn't pass muster.

How could so many people in the public utility not realise QR was running full steam ahead into chaos?

That's something former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan now has three months to figure out in a review that will provide rolling reports to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

His terms of reference put everything on the table – the adequacy of QR's scheduling, rostering, crewing, recruitment and training practices, including arrangements put in place for the new October 4 timetable that had to be torn up after three weeks.

Queensland Rail CEO Helen Gluer fell on her sword, but Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has survived for now.

But as QR points to moves it has taken to alleviate staffing issues – recruiting 100 drivers and 100 guards from December last year and the same numbers again from this week – it struggles to explain how it will actually train all those people in a timely manner.

The admission that its driver schools are already full to July 2017 and guard training is full to May, only poses more questions about the running of the training programs.

The Government and unions point to the 25 trainers made redundant under the Newman government as the cause of problems now plaguing the train operator.

The Opposition's transport spokesman Andrew Powell gave his own trainwreck press conference this week when he repeatedly refused to answer whether sackings made by the Newman government had laid the groundwork for today's woes, or even confirm there had been job losses.

But others rightly ask why the Palaszczuk Government hasn't spent 21 months in government addressing a critical staff shortage it's now so keen to point to. It has put on just nine trainers since it came to power, with a further seven available from next month.

The generous entitlements enjoyed by QR staff – such as the new 20-minute mandatory "comfort break" every 2.5 hours for drivers that has complicated rosters – is another contributor.

A five-point plan to restore services announced by Hinchliffe during the week makes that clear.

Point five requires QR to "work with its employees to develop more flexible working arrangements, including part-time arrangements – boosting the longevity of the existing workforce and creating driver roster flexibility".

The driver shortage comes after a signal problem delayed the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line by several months. Illustration: Brett Lethbridge

A "higher than usual level of unplanned leave" on Friday again took QR by surprise and led to buses replacing trains between stations. One cause was the fact many drivers had to cover other shifts and so were unable to work their rostered Friday shift.

But there were also scores of staff who called in sick.

The Government says the review also will be free to probe whether its own tardiness in making board appointments contributed to the board's apparent mishandling of issues.

It ran understaffed by one to two people for an entire year until three appointments from October 1 finally saw it at its seven-member capacity.

Inexperience could have also been a factor, with only two people on the board this month having been there for more than a year – though that's now down to one with Thursday's resignation of chairman Michael Klug.

The Premier repeatedly has said she wants to know who knew what and when, meaning there's a possibility of more cabooses being kicked.

Palaszczuk this week said she hoped there weren't any other hidden problems lurking at QR she was not aware of yet.

But considering staff say they knew two years ago that this mess was coming, it's likely they know a whole lot more about problems plaguing the rail operator.

While answers around this mess are important to get, it would also be pertinent to ask what else the Government doesn't know about.

Another debacle would almost certainly see the Transport Minister derailed.

[Stillwater]

Queensland has just created the circumstances for the perfect comeback from the feds in the politicking over CRR.  The feds will be able to say 'why should we fund CRR when Qld can't get the fundamentals right and run its existing network effectively and efficiently?' ..... 'you guys need a new bit of track like a hole in the head - requiring more drivers and more trains that you just don't have'

It is the state that is 100% responsible for drivers and trains ... no use screaming SHOW US THE MONEY for new track if it means that the asset sits idle until the substantial operational issues are sorted out.

The papier mache façade this government has been propping up fell apart this week

[ozbob]

Queensland State Governments would struggle to organise the clown at a Golden Arches birthday party ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th October 2016

Time to sort public transport for SEQ

Good Morning,

Now that the ' interim rail timetable ' has been operating successfully for the week we believe it is time some compensation for the travelling public be offered.  Many public transport commuters have had constant disruption with out of pocket costs for additional childcare, late job starts , missed appointments, taxis and so forth.

A period of free travel on our public transport network in SEQ is warranted in our opinion, to at last acknowledge the considerable impacts of late and help restore some confidence with public for the network. Please consider this an an urgent priority Minister Hinchliffe.

The Premier has said recently that she hopes there are no more hidden issues with the rail.  Sorry Premier there are.

1. The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains were ordered without guard compartments by the Newman Government.  This means in effect that guards on these new trains when deployed will be at the end of the train which is different from the present central position on existing rollingstock.  The rail network in SEQ is set up for assistance to mobility impaired at the centre areas of the rail platforms.  How will this situation be managed when the NGR trains are rolled out?  Will extra staff have to be deployed?  Will guards have to travel from the rear of the train to the centre to assist passengers?  This is not a simple issue to solve.

2. Apart from train crew problems there are simply not enough trains at present.  The number of 3 car services (with constant overloading issues) has had to be increased on the network during peak.  The original order for NGR trains was to be 100 six car train sets, this was cut back to 75 six car trains under the Newman Government.  Is this really enough trains?  This needs urgent review and consideration be given to exercising an option to increase the order for NGR trains (once these are proven).

It is also our view that the problems with public transport, rail, bus and infrastructure issues are such that a dedicated Minister for Public Transport is needed to focus and retrieve the situation. Ministers with multi-portfolios are not able to remain across all the issues. Politicised and poor public transport policy under a succession of Governments has now finally impacted in the mess we have today.

We and others have highlighted the issues for years, only to be ignored in the main.  It is now time to act, and act decisively.

Thank you.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe: I'm going nowhere

TRANSPORT Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has declared he'll keep his job to fix the problems at Queensland Rail, even while admitting that new trains ordered from India face unnamed "issues" and delays.

The news of problems with the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) came as another 74 trips were cancelled and five modified yesterday to ensure there were enough drivers for weekday services from today.

Mr Hinchliffe said he would be going nowhere despite further calls from the Opposition for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to "do the right thing" and sack him.

"As always, we can do better, we can do more and I will do more," he told Labor's state conference as he blamed the Newman government's cuts to QR's driver unit for the mess.

"Let me be clear, we inherited this LNP mess, we found this LNP mess and ... I am not going anywhere until it's fixed," he said.

But the stance came as Mr Hinchliffe was unable to guarantee when new NGR trains — five of which have arrived from India — will begin services.

The former LNP Government ordered 75 new trains under a private public partnership from a consortium led by Bombardia.

They were to begin passenger services in the second half of this year but only one is undergoing testing.

Mr Hinchliffe said there were "a number of issues" being worked out with the supplier.

A spokesman for TransLink, which is overseeing the project, could not give a time frame for the trains to go into service.

QR's acting chief executive Neil Scales will today meet QR staff and the unions to discuss enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations and issues with workplace flexibility.

"I want to understand how quickly we can get more drivers into the field," he said.

It comes after the Ms Palaszczuk threw her support behind Mr Hinchliffe as he faces intensified calls to resign over a train timetabling fiasco.

Ms Palaszczuk is instead blaming QR and the previous Liberal National Party government for train driver shortages.

When asked whether Mr Hinchliffe should resign she said he'd advised he was 100 per cent committed to fixing the problem.

"I think everybody is incredibly angry this has happened but now we need to fix it up," she said.

But Opposition leader Tim Nicholls said Ms Palaszczuk must be wondering what to do with her "incompetent" transport minister.

"The real question that commuters have is why are they paying the price because Annastacia Palaszczuk doesn't have the guts to sack an incompetent minister," he said.

"Stirling Hinchliffe should resign."

The situation has already led to QR chief executive Helen Gluer and board chairman Michael Klug quitting while the service continues to operate on an interim timetable.

Calls for Mr Hinchliffe's resignation have intensified after it emerged Queensland-based public transport advocate Paul Pluta sent his office an email flagging trouble ahead with the Moreton Bay rail link as well as a lack of drivers the network was receiving.

In his correspondence, Mr Pluta warned the driver shortage would make headlines. "Your current drivers can't drive the trains, and you need 60 more and you have not begun training," Mr Pluta said.

Mr Hinchliffe said he sought advice from QR following the email. "That advice included reassurances from QR that the train crewing issues were being dealt with," he said on Sunday.

The minister reiterated his position that the advice he received from QR was that the issues would not affect the October timetable.

Mr Hinchliffe would not say how much blame he thought Labor should accept for the debacle.

[ozbob]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/otr/dailyotr

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland train drivers to lose 20-minute comfort break

DRIVERS will be stripped of a 20-minute comfort break that has been blamed for exacerbating the timetable crisis as part of a deal between the union and Queensland Rail management to improve driver rosters.

The comfort break – provided to all train crews every two-and-a-half hours – was designed to encourage more women into the job (up from the current 32 drivers) and was only introduced when the Redcliffe Peninsula line was opened, after being agreed to in November 2015.

Other breaks will be reduced from 40 minutes to 30 minutes as part of the deal.

A meeting between QR acting chief executive Neil Scales and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union yesterday also canvassed other strategies to reduce pressure on the roster such as enticing retired drivers back into the workforce.

RTBU state secretary Owen Doogan said that the comfort break would be eliminated in the next roster.

"It was a very positive meeting and we have agreed to stop the comfort break and reduce the other breaks to 30 minutes to have more drivers available when they are needed," he said. "And there was mention of trying to get former drivers back to work and we have no problem with that."

Mr Doogan said the union had also made a suggestion about changing the way some training was done to make it easier for people to qualify as trainers on specific routes.

He said creating trainers on specific routes would free up tutor drivers – identified as a key bottleneck in the training process – to work with more trainees.

Mr Doogan said the union was trying to encourage more drivers to work overtime to try and reduce the timetable crisis.

A QR spokeswoman said the meeting between Mr Scales and the union was positive but did not provide details about what was discussed.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe yesterday said QR was working on strategies – including speeding up the recruitment and training process – to allow more train services to run.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says he was not warned of train driver shortage

THE Transport Minister says he is 'deeply concerned' that a January-prepared document warning Queensland Rail bosses about a train driver shortage only made it on to his desk late last night.

More than two dozen Queensland Rail staff, including senior figures, were interviewed as part of the damning report that warned of train driver shortages.

But Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says he knew nothing about it – even though QR's high-ranking chief operating officer was involved in discussions about the scope of the probe and the general manager of Citytrain was listed as being the person the report was "prepared for".

In a statement issued on Monday night, Mr Hinchliffe said he only received a copy of the report - which he said was prepared in January - at 9.20pm.

"This evening, following an enquiry from The Courier-Mail, I was made aware of the existence of a report prepared by external consultants, Indec, reviewing Queensland Rail's train service delivery," he said.

"To be clear, I was only provided with a draft version of this report this evening at 9.20pm.

"The draft report clearly shows Queensland Rail personnel were aware from as early as January 2016 that there were significant risks attached to multiple projects as a consequence of a shortage of train driver resources."

Mr Hinchliffe said he had "instructed the Acting (QR) CEO Neil Scales to make any and all immediate required recommendations to Government that would address these clear shortcomings in the reporting and performance of the operation of Queensland Rail".

"These matters will also be referred to the independent investigation being led by Philip Strachan into Queensland Rail train crewing practices," he said.

Rail advocate Paul Pluta has obtained the report produced by Indec and marked "commercial-in-confidence", which showed demand for drivers was potentially not being met from as early as July 2015 last year.

Mr Hinchliffe last week had to defend his response to an email sent by Mr Pluta on March 4, in which he raised issues relating to not only possible driver shortages, but the rollout of the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR).

Indec's Train Service Delivery review raised serious concerns about how crew numbers would impact on the operation of the NGR, as well as Commonwealth Games services.

"Operational readiness for the integration of the NGR and the MBRL is at risk due to the demand this will place on the train crewing resources," the report states.

The report performed an analysis of the number of qualified drivers compared with what had been projected as the required supply and found shortfalls going all the way back to July last year.

It compared a number of documents that dealt with workforce planning and found that there were "significant inconsistencies", with a lack of agreement internally around how many drivers would be needed.

The number of "total required drivers" in July 2015 was placed at 523 by one workforce plan, while it placed the "total qualified drivers" at 496.

The October 2015 figure for required drivers was listed as 541, while the number of qualified drivers dipped to 494. The projection for December this year is 548 required drivers and 488 total qualified drivers.

An HR resource plan contained different figures but still showed staffing demand outstripping supply from July last year through to December this year.

The report notes that the scope of the work included a review of the "adequacy of the current management structure for Rail Traffic Crew, taking into consideration workforce numbers (and) span of control" and a review of the "Train Service Delivery training capacity and program". QR's chief operating officer asked the review to also look at train crew governance arrangements.

The report notes that QR must consider the MBRL timetable, NGR crewing requirement and Commonwealth Games needs "because the train crewing drivers' and guards' employment levels are below the apparent collective needs of these initiatives".

The Indec review points out that "recruitment shortfalls in recent years have resulted in employee figures which fall short of the existing needs".

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/31/statement-on-the-indec-report-received-by-queensland-rail

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Monday, October 31, 2016

Statement on the Indec report received by Queensland Rail

This evening following an enquiry from The Courier-Mail I was made aware of the existence of a report prepared by external consultants, Indec, reviewing Queensland Rail's train service delivery.

To be clear, I was only provided with a draft version of this report this evening at 9.20pm.

The draft report clearly shows Queensland Rail personnel were aware from as early as January 2016 that there were significant risks attached to multiple projects as a consequence of a shortage of train driver resources.

I understand this report was prepared in January and I am deeply concerned it was not provided to me by Queensland Rail before now.

Last Monday, the then Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail Ms Helen Gluer said:

"My advice to the Minister prior to last Thursday (20 October) was Queensland Rail absolutely believed it would be able to deliver the timetable as scheduled from the 4th of October, clearly we have got that wrong."

Ms Gluer and the Chair of Queensland Rail Michael Klug resigned last Thursday.

I have instructed the Acting CEO Neil Scales to make any and all immediate required recommendations to Government that would address these clear shortcomings in the reporting and performance of the operation of Queensland Rail.

These matters will also be referred to the independent investigation being led by Philip Strachan into Queensland Rail train crewing practices.

I am committed to addressing the challenges in Queensland Rail to ensure the continued high quality delivery of services to the travelling public.

[ozbob]

It's Cup Day, but why does @AnnastaciaMP continue to back Australia's worst transport Minister @StirlHinchliffe? #qldpol

— Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) October 31, 2016

^

Why did ex CEO QR & Board Chair, both LNP appointees suddenly resign TIm?#qldpol#askingforafriend https://t.co/ytj1TpFfy9

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) October 31, 2016

[ozbob]

Did an interview on ABC Gold Coast host Nicole Dyer 91.7 FM on the broader implications of train crew shortages and NGR issues.

Thanks for the interest Nicole !

[ozbob]

@AnnastaciaMP has formally requested full cooperation of @TimNichollsMP & @scottemerson to assist with QR fail. #qldpol

— David Marler (@Qldaah) October 31, 2016

[ozbob]

Qld rail employees have till Monday to apply for train driver jobs. Then govt will go outside #9News

— Shane Doherty (@ShaneDoherty9) October 31, 2016

[ozbob]

Hinchliffe says it is "growingly apparent" that senior QR personnel knew of driver shortage, says "is beyond acceptable" @abcnews #qldpol pic.twitter.com/jCDASBA20z

— Kerrin Binnie (@kerrinbinnie) November 1, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Report shows QR staff knew of problem

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says a report by external consultants Indec "clearly shows" workers inside Queensland Rail were aware of significant risks associated with a driver shortage.

Mr Hinchliffe spoke in Parliament on Tuesday about the Queensland Rail driver shortage debacle which came to a head after the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.

On Tuesday, it was revealed Queensland Rail was warned 10 months ago about the driver shortages.

Mr Hinchliffe has written to the Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls calling on him to released briefing notes made under the former LNP government, including the design and fit-out of the new trains.

The new generation rolling stock has several issues, including drivers not being able to see stopping points.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland Rail "got this completely wrong".

But she said Mr Hinchliffe would get it right.

After receiving the Indec report last night, Ms Palaszczuk said it was forwarded on to Phillip Strachan, who is completing an investigation into the debacle.

Ms Palaszczuk said by the end of this week, a timetable for city passenger rail services, to operate until the end of the year, would be released.

The timetable for services for next year will be developed ahead of the implementation of the new Fairer Fares program in 2017.

Ms Palaszczuk also requested the "full cooperation" of Mr Nicholls and member for Indooroopilly Scott Emerson, who was the Transport Minister under the former LNP government.

Following a meeting on Monday with employees and the acting chief executive officer, Mr Hinchliffe said existing roster practices, including 20-minute rest breaks would be "optimised".

Queensland Rail will also re-employ recently retired train drivers who wish to return on a full-time or part-time basis.

Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland Rail would fast-track training processes for existing trainee drivers and guards with the appointment of a new "route tutor co-ordinator".

Mr Hinchliffe also gave a blow-by-blow account of what he knew when.

"The seeds of this issue were sewn long ago and we need to get to the bottom of this," he said.

[achiruel]

Nicholls keeps whining on Twitter about how incompetent the current TM is, but completely refuses to acknowledge Blue Team's role in the f**kup. IMO both Red and Blue teams need to take some level of responsibility for this debacle.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Brisbane train driver shortage: Transport Minister 'outraged' over lack of warning from Queensland Rail

Queensland Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, backed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, has tried to turn the heat on the former LNP Government as he expressed "outrage" over Queensland Rail's (QR) failure to warn him about staff shortages.

The Opposition today stepped up its calls for Mr Hinchliffe to quit or be sacked, following revelations QR was warned in a January report from independent consultants INDEC about impending problems with the rail network.

The Minister said he only saw the report last night and again blamed QR for not informing him.

"I am outraged on behalf of all of our public transport users of the treatment they have received from Queensland Rail in recent weeks," Mr Hinchliffe told Parliament.

"The lack of notice, the changes to timetables and the now growingly apparent position [that] senior personnel within the organisation knew of these risks is beyond unacceptable."

He said the LNP shared the blame for the driver shortage.

"The seeds of this issue were sown long ago and we need to get to the bottom of this."

Ms Palaszczuk said the former treasurer and transport minister should take part in an investigation.

"I request the full cooperation of the Members for Clayfield [Tim Nicholls] and Indooroopilly [Scott Emerson] as the Queensland Rail shareholding Ministers on behalf of the former Government." Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I have commissioned former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan to investigate the matter thoroughly.

"After receiving the INDEC report last night, my Director-General has forwarded it to Mr Strachan as part of his investigations."
New timetable for remainder of year due soon

Ms Palaszczuk said a timetable for city passenger rail services to operate until the end of the year will be released this week.

She said the timetable for services beyond that would be developed ahead of the implementation of fairer fares for the travelling public in the new year.

Mr Hinchliffe said internal applications for 100 new drivers and 100 guards would be open until next week.

"Following that process Queensland Rail will assess capacity and ability of external applications," he said.

"Currently 12 guards and 33 drivers are being trained.

"The guards and drivers who have been recruited but are not currently in training are booked in upcoming schools, there is clearly a capacity constraint and means of fast tracked are being considered now."

[ozbob]

Nicholls keeps whining on Twitter about how incompetent the current TM is, but completely refuses to acknowledge Blue Team's role in the f**kup. IMO both Red and Blue teams need to take some level of responsibility for this debacle.

Yes, both the LNP and ALP have a hand in this mess.

LNP are being very disingenuous and devious, ALP are just fundamentally incompetent. 

I think a lack of action during Ms Trad's time as TM has not helped much either to be honest.

[ozbob]

Speaker @pwellingtonmp uses his casting vote to reject @TimNichollsMP attempt to move no confidence in @StirlHinchliffe @abcnews #qldpol

— Chris O'Brien (@COBrienBris) November 1, 2016

[achiruel]

I think a lack of action during Ms Trad's time as TM has not helped much either to be honest.

Agreed, if anyone should fall on their sword over this it should be Trad, although she is no longer Transport Minister, she is clearly incompetent.  However she is too power-hungry and wields too much power in the Left faction to ever be forced out.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail had no succession plan after standing aside 'critical' figure

A SENIOR Queensland Rail figure was stood aside in the wake of the train timetable debacle, despite a key report this year warning there was no succession plan for his "critical role".

QR's Senior Manager SEQ Train Service Delivery was stood aside by Helen Gluer prior to her own resignation after commuters were subjected to widespread chaos and the cancellation of services.

A report by consultancy Indec warned at the beginning of the year that there was no plan to replace the "skills and knowledge" of the Senior Manager, should the position become vacant.

A Government spokeswoman confirmed that it was the Senior Manager SEQ Train Service Delivery who was stood aside by Ms Gluer.

The report notes: "There is a particular risk in relation to the position of Senior Manager SEQ Train Service Delivery."

"The incumbent is a highly experienced and respected individual, who plays a critical role in the success of service delivery," it reads.

"There did not appear to be any succession planning for this key role, or for the skills and knowledge of the individual."

But Indec also pointed to broader issues within QR relating to succession.

"There did not appear to be a formal, structured approach to succession planning, which should also form part of the business continuity plan," the report states.

"During interviews, TSD staff were able to identify appropriate candidates to fill their roles and were actively supporting this through arranging for those staff to act in their roles during extended leave. In other instances, no eligible candidates had been identified."

At least 26 QR personnel — including high-ranking figures — were interviewed for the Indec report, with a draft version handed down in January and the final version in February.

QR's then-General Manager Citytrain was listed as being the person for who the Indec report was "prepared for". A QR spokeswoman confirmed that person still worked for QR and was now occupying the role of Acting General Manager of Rail Management Centre and Operations.

QR's Chief Operating Officer was also involved in discussions about the scope of the Indec review.

[ozbob]

9 News --> Hinchliffe escapes no-confidence motion

Queensland's embattled transport minister has narrowly escaped being the subject of a no-confidence motion in parliament over the state's rail timetable fiasco.

Stirling Hinchliffe endured heavy opposition fire during Tuesday's sitting after revelations a January report warned Queensland Rail bosses about the looming staff problems that have created commuter chaos in October.

Mr Hinchliffe, who has seen QR's chief executive and chairman resign and another senior public servant stood down over the crisis, claimed he did not see the document until Monday night.

Liberal National leader Tim Nicholls said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not have "the guts" to sack Mr Hinchliffe because it would mean taking on Labor's factions.

"Above all, he should be sacked for letting three senior public servants take the fall when he is the one legally and morally responsible for this mess," Mr Nicholls said.

"This is Stirling Hinchliffe's mess and no one else's."

Mr Nicholls sought leave to move, without notice, a motion of no confidence in the minister.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad attempted to scuttle the motion with a point of order.

"This issue has been ventilated all morning," she said.

"This is clearly an abuse of parliamentary process."

Speaker Peter Wellington disagreed and a vote on whether to grant Mr Nicholls' leave proceeded.

Mr Wellington used his casting vote to shut down Mr Nicholls' plan after the vote was tied, but one independent MP sided with the opposition.

Mr Hinchliffe had earlier defended himself by again saying the seeds of the problem were sown under the former LNP government, with 66 members of the driver training unit let go.

Ms Palaszczuk also defended Mr Hinchliffe during question time and said Mr Nicholls faced a test of whether to release QR-related briefings from his party's time in power.

"I want to get to the bottom of this ... and to do that we need all of the information," she said.

"I want the truth and the public wants the truth."

The fiasco prompted the resignations of QR chief executive Helen Gluer and chairman Michael Klug last Thursday.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/11/01/05/43/hinchliffe-unaware-of-jan-warning-to-qr#FKTwAX0ccFOKQZT5.99

[ozbob]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/otr/dailyotr

[HappyTrainGuy]

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/what-went-wrong-in-the-qld-rail-debacle/news-story/d47db79f851997272201358644d9c1f7

And what about what happened between 2010 and 2016??? You know...... what got the ball rolling.

[ozbob]

^    peak junk journalism?

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2016/2016_11_01_DAILY.pdf
Queensland Parliament Hansard
Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail

Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Arts) (9.40 am): My
government is determined that Queensland Rail provides a safe and reliable passenger rail service for
the travelling public. That is why we were so pleased that the Redcliffe peninsula line was launched
into service on 4 October. That is why we are so furious about Queensland Rail's advice to government

3926 Ministerial Statements 1 Nov 2016
on Thursday, 20 October, of the need to cancel or alter services the following day—Friday, 21 October.
As the then chief executive officer of Queensland Rail, Helen Gluer, said last Monday, 24 October—
Opposition members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: If members want to interject, please do so in a way that I can identify you.
Ms PALASZCZUK: I quote—
My advice to the Minister prior to last Thursday was Queensland Rail absolutely believed it would be able to deliver the timetable
as scheduled from the 4th of October, clearly we have got that wrong.
Let me make it clear: they got it wrong; the minister will get it right and the travelling public will
get certainty. The minister and the Acting CEO of Queensland Rail, Neil Scales, are determined to
ensure Queensland Rail implements the five-point plan announced last week. By the end of this week,
a timetable for city passenger rail services to operate until the end of the year will be released. The
timetable for services for next year will be developed ahead of the implementation of fairer fares for the
travelling public in the New Year.
We are determined to ensure that there is a safe and reliable rail service for the travelling public.
To get it right, we do need to get to the bottom of what went wrong.
Mr Bleijie interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Member for Kawana, you warned under standing order 253A for those
interjections. If you persist, I will take the appropriate action.
Ms PALASZCZUK: I have commissioned former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan to
investigate the matter thoroughly. After receiving the Indec report last night, my director-general has
forwarded it immediately to Mr Strachan as part of his investigations. Mr Strachan has a three-month
brief, and I expect progress reports and findings during that time. Mr Strachan will have my
government's full cooperation. Today I request the full cooperation of both the member for Clayfield
and the member for Indooroopilly as the Queensland Rail shareholding ministers on behalf of the former
government.
Opposition members interjected.
Ms PALASZCZUK: Full cooperation.
Opposition members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: I call the Premier.
Ms PALASZCZUK: Recommendation 15 of the Peter Costello Commission of Audit report
handed to the member for Clayfield stated—
City passenger rail services and network infrastructure be opened up to contestability, like bus services, to allow different
providers, including private providers, to bid to operate services and maintain below-rail assets in a particular franchised area
under franchise and lease arrangements.
The then government's response to this recommendation of the Commission of Audit stated—
The Government accepts this recommendation for City Passenger services and rail infrastructure and notes that it is consistent
with Government's current direction and will be considered as part of the ongoing reform activities in the Department of Transport
and Main Roads.
Furthermore, the 2013-14 annual report of Queensland Rail under the headline 'Market Readiness'
stated—
This agenda aligns with the Queensland Government's response to recommendations relating to Queensland Rail set out in the
Queensland Commission of Audit Final Report 2013.
When the then CEO of Queensland Rail, Helen Gluer, appeared before budget estimates in July
2014, she spoke of the job cuts at Queensland Rail since the former government's election in 2012.
Opposition members interjected.
Ms PALASZCZUK: They do not like it. They do not want to hear the truth.
Mr Powell interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Glass House.
Ms PALASZCZUK: The then CEO conceded that 'since March 2012, there has been a reduction
of 19.6 per cent FTEs'.
Mr Crandon interjected.

1 Nov 2016 Ministerial Statements 3927
003
Mr SPEAKER: Member for Coomera, you are warned under standing order 253A for your
interjections. You will have ample opportunity to speak or ask questions this morning. If you persist, I
will take the appropriate action.
Ms PALASZCZUK: I expect—and the travelling public expect—the members for Clayfield and
Indooroopilly to cooperate fully and for that cooperation to extend to the actions of their government on
the following: train crew recruitment; recruitment freeze; the design and fitout of the next generation
rolling stock, including planned operating models for drivers and guards; and the franchise of
Queensland Rail, including consultants' reports and preparatory work done by or for the government,
Queensland Rail or Treasury. >
<Queensland Rail
Hon. SJ HINCHLIFFE (Sandgate—ALP) (Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games)
(9.46 am): There are a number of issues concerning Queensland Rail and projects within the
Department of Transport and Main Roads that I wish to address in the House this morning. I start by
placing on record my thanks and acknowledgement for the hardworking train crew, our drivers and
guards for their delivery of service over the past week. I am outraged on behalf of all of our public
transport—
Opposition members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Member for Glass House, you are warned under standing order 253A for your
interjections. If you persist, I will take the appropriate action.
Mr HINCHLIFFE: I am outraged on behalf of all of our public transport users of the treatment they
have received from Queensland Rail in recent weeks. Customers rightfully expect the highest level of
service delivery on our rail network. They have not been receiving this from Queensland Rail. The lack
of notice, the changes to timetables and now the increasingly apparent position that senior personnel
within the organisation knew of these risks are beyond acceptable.
Queensland Rail has achieved solid on-time running results for many years, up to and including
September this year, of above 95 per cent. Today we are running more train services than we were in
September and we are running them with solid on-time results—this morning's am peak ran at 95 per
cent. Even on the interim timetable, on Monday to Thursday we are running 4.76 per cent more services
that in September and on Fridays running 5.3 per cent more services than in September, but we have
reached this place after the worst possible journey.
It is evident that the timetable released into service on 4 October was not able to be delivered by
Queensland Rail with the resources available. The former CEO described that timetable as 'ambitious'.
The Premier has established an investigation led by Phillip Strachan into just how an organisation of
this size and capacity—an organisation like Queensland Rail—could allow such an error to occur. As
the opposition have said, this issue did not happen overnight. The seeds of this problem were sown
during periods of mass retrenchment under the previous government. This is highly disappointing. Over
the course of the previous government there was a reduction of 1,773 full-time-equivalent workers at
Queensland Rail. Critically, there was a reduction of 66 members of the driver training unit, including
drivers.
This does not excuse the failure of Queensland Rail to foresee the impact and address these
cuts in delivering a new timetable, but it does go some way to explain the impact and tightness of the
train crew team. Last year the government lifted the recruitment freeze and opened up positions to train
100 new drivers and 100 new guards. Of those positions, Queensland Rail has recruited 74 new guards
and 79 new drivers. Currently, 12 guards and 33 drivers are being trained. The guards and drivers who
have been recruited but are not currently in training are booked in upcoming schools. There is clearly
a capacity constraint and means of fast-tracking are being considered now. Some of the schools are
due to be completed as early as this month. I am advised that 66 members of the driver training unit,
including drivers, as I said, were made redundant from July 2012 to December 2014. I am advised that
under the Palaszczuk government we have recruited an additional nine trainers.
On 24 October 2016 I announced that an additional 100 driver and 100 guard placements would
be opened up. They are currently open for internal applications through to 7 November. Following that
process, Queensland Rail will assess capacity and ability of external applicants. In regard to the practice
of Queensland Rail seeking internal applicants before external recruitment, I will note that this practice
was strengthened in the enterprise bargaining agreement struck in 2013 under the then minister and
now shadow Treasurer. It has been a longstanding practice.

3928 Ministerial Statements 1 Nov 2016
In regard to the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line, until Thursday 20 October I was informed
that Queensland Rail was able to deliver the timetable as proposed. On 21 September, in a brief to
shareholder ministers Queensland Rail stated—
The 4 October timetable undertook internal review through a Quality Assurance process to ensure the timetable was fit-for
purpose and mitigated impact to freight and Traveltrain services.
I table the document.
Tabled paper: Brief to the Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe, re Redcliffe Peninsular
line update—new timetable signed by the CEO on 21 September 2016.
On the evening of Friday, 30 September there was a large number of unexpected cancellations
on the network of which I was not advised in advance. Upon becoming aware of these cancelled
services via rail advocates, I sought a briefing from Queensland Rail. I should note that it has been my
practice as minister that I listen to rail advocates and passengers, and seek advice from Queensland
Rail or TransLink in order to reply to their questions or complaints. In regard to the cancellations on
30 September, the Treasurer and I, as shareholding ministers, received an information brief on
7 October on these cancellations. The brief noted that training on the Redcliffe Peninsula line was
causing strain on rostering but that 'to date, rostering for training has been successful, with minimal
impact on normal operations'. The brief notes that there was a shortfall of driver numbers but reflects
that recruitment drives are underway. I table that brief.
Tabled paper: Brief to the Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe, re Traincrew resourcing
and cancelled services—Friday, 30 September 2016 signed by the CEO on 7 October 2016.
I sought further information about the matters raised in this brief and at a departmental senior
executive leadership meeting—which I convene regularly—on 17 October I was advised that minor
service alterations would continue to occur on Fridays whilst training on the new line was completed
and that Queensland Rail was appropriately managing their train crew. At all stages of these briefings
I was repeatedly assured by the CEO of Queensland Rail that these cancellations would last only for
the month of October. On the afternoon of 20 October I was advised that there would likely be a large
number of cancellations on the network the following day. I was also advised that in order to limit the
cancellations two lines would be closed after 7 pm on Friday, 21 October and replaced with bus
services. I was in Mount Isa at the time, having just completed a regional visit with the CEO of
Queensland Rail.
The CEO then briefed me in person on more details of the planned cancellations. In that meeting
the CEO also disclosed to me for the first time that QR personnel may have been aware of advice that
there were train crew shortages that meant Queensland Rail was unable to deliver the 4 October
timetable. Before returning to Brisbane, I ordered a meeting of Queensland Rail and the Department of
Transport and Main Roads for the next morning. At this meeting I was informed by Queensland Rail
that they were unable to maintain an acceptable level of service for coming weeks. My focus at this
meeting was to minimise disruptions for commuters in the approaching peak period and understand the
options for minimising impacts for commuters across the following week. Queensland Rail's preferred
option for addressing train crew shortages was to implement an interim timetable with service
alterations spread across the day to minimise peak impacts. I requested that the interim timetable be
made with a full 24 hours notice to customers.
Shareholder ministers then requested that the Queensland Rail board convene an urgent
meeting as soon as possible. We requested that the board address key matters including the cause of
recent high levels of cancelled services and train crew shortages, and that the board satisfy itself with
the interim proposal of the executive leadership team. The board convened on Sunday morning, and
both I and the other shareholding minister, the Treasurer, dialled into the meeting remotely. On Sunday
evening I received details of the proposed interim timetable. It was uploaded and released to the public
on the TransLink website by 4 am Monday, 24 October and media were advised of the changes that
evening. The board also stated to shareholding ministers—
The Board and Responsible Ministers were not alerted to the extent of the shortages, or their impact on service delivery, until
late last week.
In relation to the interim timetable the board stated—
The Board has carefully considered the information provided by management in relation to the interim timetable and crewing
arrangements, and is satisfied that the arrangements will allow current operations to stabilise in order to meet required service
levels for the interim timetable.
This morning the Premier has made clear that by the end of this week a timetable for city
passenger rail services to operate until the end of the year will be released. Further, the timetable for

1 Nov 2016 Ministerial Statements 3929
004
services for next year will be developed ahead of the implementation of the Fairer Fares package for
the travelling public in the new year.
Last night, following media inquiries from the Courier-Mail, I discovered the existence of a report
held by Queensland Rail since at least January 2016. The report commissioned by QR from Indec
clearly shows that personnel inside of the organisation were aware of the significant risks associated
with major projects as a consequence of a train driver shortage. There has been a fundamental failure
of management, and last week we saw the CEO and chair of Queensland Rail resign. Helen Gluer said
last week—
My advice to the Minister prior to last Thursday (20 October) was Queensland Rail absolutely believed it would be able to deliver
the timetable as scheduled from the 4th of October, clearly we have got that wrong.'
I table the draft Indec report received by me late last night at 9.20 pm.
Tabled paper: Draft Report Train Service Delivery Review, INDEC, January 2016.
This morning Mr Paul Pluta emailed media outlets a document purporting to be the final copy of
this document. I have asked the acting CEO to verify this document this morning. However, in the
interests of transparency, I table that document.
Tabled paper: Draft Report Train Service Delivery Review, INDEC, February 2016.
I have written to the acting CEO of Queensland Rail regarding this matter, and I also table that
letter.
Tabled paper: Letter, dated 1 November 2016, to Mr Neil Scales, Acting CEO Queensland Rail, from the Minister for Transport
and the Commonwealth Games, Hon. Stirling Hincliffe, regarding the report titled 'Train Service Delivery Review' conducted by
INDEC for Queensland Rail in January 2016.
Again, as the opposition have stated, the seeds of this issue were sown long ago and we need
to get to the bottom of this. This morning I have written to the Leader of the Opposition calling on him
to allow the release of all relevant briefing notes, reports and other documents under the former
government concerning the following matters: train driver recruitment; recruitment freeze; the design
and fit-out of the next generation rolling stock including planned operating models for drivers and
guards; and the franchise of Queensland Rail including consultants' reports and preparatory work done
by or for the government, Queensland Rail or Treasury. I have asked that the Leader of the Opposition
release these documents to the investigation led by Philip Strachan for his immediate review, and I
table that letter.
Tabled paper: Letter, dated 1 November 2016, to Mr Tim Nicholls MP, Leader of the Opposition, from the Minister for Transport
and the Commonwealth Games, Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe, regarding the independent investigation into the current disruptions to
the CityTrain timetable.
With regards to training progress, to date there are 198 qualified guards signed off for Kippa-Ring
and 129 qualified drivers. There are still 218 drivers and 131 guards required to train on the
Petrie-Kippa-Ring corridor. At its core there are issues of both a driver shortfall and some work
practices.
I can announce some measures agreed to yesterday between our employees and the acting
CEO in order to free up driver capacity and speed up driver training. One, the existing rosters and roster
practices, namely the 20 minutes break after 2½ hours, will be optimised by implementing certain
aspects of a proposed new train crew enterprise agreement about working hours and meal breaks.
Two, Queensland Rail has proceeded to reemploy recently retired train divers who wish to return to
work on either a full-time or a part-time basis in accordance with existing safety practices. Three,
Queensland Rail will fast-track the training processes for existing trainee drivers and trainee guards
with a focus on increasing the number of route tutors to assist with the training and the appointment of
a new route tutor coordinator. Queensland Rail believes that progressing on these issues will free up
drivers through more flexible work arrangements in order to deliver more reliable train times.
I am 100 per cent focused on addressing this mess and these challenges, and I will continue to
update the House as they progress. >

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2016/2016_11_01_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Questions without notice

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
<Minister for Transport
Mr NICHOLLS: My question is to the Premier, and I table a copy of the Indec train service
delivery report, and I ask: given that as early as November 2015 it was identified that Citytrain needed
more guards and drivers, how can the Premier have any confidence when the transport minister says
he was not advised of the problem?
Tabled paper: Report of Train Service Delivery Review dated February 2016 prepared for Queensland Rail by INDEC.
Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As the transport
minister has said very clearly, he was simply not advised. I am absolutely angry and furious at the fact
that Queensland Rail kept this from shareholding ministers, and it is my understanding that it also kept
it from the board. The real question for the Leader of the Opposition today is this: will he cooperate with
the Phillip Strachan—
Honourable members interjected.
Ms PALASZCZUK: No, this is all relevant.
Honourable members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members.
Ms PALASZCZUK: This is all relevant, because let us go back in history. The Minister for
Transport made it very clear that those opposite do not want the history lesson, but they will get it. What
we saw under the former government was over 1,700 positions axed—gutted. Why did they gut
Queensland Rail? For one purpose: they were getting ready to flog it off. That is what they were doing
under the leadership of the former treasurer who is now the Leader of the Opposition. I want to get to
the bottom of this. The public wants to get to the bottom of this. The transport minister wants to get to
the bottom of this, and to do that we need all of the information. The report today which came to light
to the minister last night after nine o'clock has been forwarded to Phillip Strachan for his analysis. I
have glimpsed through that report as well and it is very clear that some 20 senior people in Queensland
Rail were interviewed as part of this report and not one of them saw fit to raise it with government—not
one! That is atrocious and appalling. We are determined to fix this up.
Let me also make it very clear what the then chief executive officer, Helen Gluer, said on Monday,
24 October. Let me read it again. I said it this morning in my ministerial statement, but for those opposite
who were so rudely interrupting me let me repeat it. She said—
My advice to the Minister prior to last Thursday ... was Queensland Rail absolutely believed it would be able to deliver the
timetable as scheduled from the 4th of October, clearly we have got that wrong.
That was the advice to the minister. That was what the CEO at the time said. My question is this: did
the CEO at the time know about this report? Did the CEO at the time know about this report? Did they
sit on it? Did they do nothing?
(Time expired)>
<Minister for Transport

3938 Questions Without Notice 1 Nov 2016
008
Mr NICHOLLS: My question is to the Premier. As the minister will not follow the Westminster
convention and resign and take responsibility for the rail fail, why does the Premier not have the guts
to sack the transport minister?
Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Queensland Rail got
this completely wrong—completely wrong—and I have asked the transport minister to fix this up. Let
me continue very clearly: under the former government, the former treasurer and the former transport
minister were the shareholding ministers, and they are sitting there side by side. They have a very clear
decision to make today: are they going to table the cabinet documents and detail what they did to rip
the guts out of Queensland Rail? I want the truth. I want the truth and the public wants the truth.
Opposition members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Glass House. I can hear you loud and clear.
Ms PALASZCZUK: We talk about the new generation rolling stock. We know who ordered that
and who signed the contracts—the two people sitting opposite. What did the then treasurer say at the
time about the contracts that they signed about the new generation rolling stock? Let me quote it—
Mr Nicholls said the multi-billion dollar contract will deliver the new trains over the next five years and maintenance for a 32-year
operational period, at a fixed price to ensure 'there are no hidden surprises for taxpayers.'
He said that there would be no hidden surprises for taxpayers and the former transport minister,
the member for Indooroopilly, was raving about how he was going to save $11 million per train. Today
is the day. We want the truth to come out—the cuts to the train drivers made under his watch. Today,
the real test is: will they provide the documents and will they cooperate with the investigation? I believe
that, honestly—
Honourable members interjected.
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. I am trying to hear the Premier.
Ms PALASZCZUK: Today, we want to see the documents. It is very easy. Just pick up the phone
and call the cabinet secretary. They can table them today. Let us see the truth. Let us reveal the real
truth about the cuts to the train drivers that were made under the opposition's watch. They do not like
it. They were getting Queensland Rail ready for sale. >

<Queensland Rail, Train Drivers
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: My question without notice is to the Deputy Premier. Last week the
Deputy Premier said that 'driver training was in hand' while she was the transport minister, but the Indec
report says that, in November 2015, driver training was barely meeting attrition and will likely be
impacted by the delivery of Cross River Rail. When was the Deputy Premier aware of this report?
Ms TRAD: I thank the honourable member for the question. In fact, it is my first question from
the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I am feeling very lucky today. I will point out that it is on a topic
that currently is not in my portfolio, but I am very happy to answer it, because it is the first time that my
counterpart has asked me a question in the House. I am feeling very lucky. I can absolutely inform the
House that in all of my—
Mrs Frecklington interjected.
Ms TRAD: I am very happy to answer the question, but the honourable member must listen.
Considering that it is her first question to me in the House, it would perhaps be really advisable for her
to listen. I can inform the House that, during my time as transport minister, I had a number of briefings
in relation to the preparedness of the Moreton Bay Rail Link. At no stage did DTMR or Queensland Rail
raise with me issues in relation to train crew numbers.
In fact, in relation to the risks associated with the opening of the Moreton Bay Rail Link, at no
stage were train crew numbers identified. The honourable transport minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, has
absolutely outlined in great detail the consistent advice given by Queensland Rail over the course of
his time as transport minister. That completely reflects the advice given to me during my time as
transport minister.
In fact, on 20 November last year, Queensland Rail furnished both me and the Treasurer as
shareholding ministers with advice to say that 100 train drivers and 100 guards were being recruited to
be trained and deployed in 2016 in order to ensure that additional services were provided with the
opening of the Moreton Bay Rail Link. That advice was consistently given to me and consistently given
to the Minister for Transport over the course of this year. We have to remember the deep cuts that
those opposite tore through the Public Service to diminish—
Honourable members interjected.
Ms TRAD: The cuts that they delivered are responsible for the mess that we are currently in. >
Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. Before I call the member for Ferny Grove for his question,
I am informed that we have students from year 12 and school leaders from Laidley State High School
and teaching coordinators, in the electorate of Lockyer, observing our proceedings. Welcome.

<Citytrain Network, Commuters
Mr POWELL: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Will the minister tell the House and
the commuters of South-East Queensland exactly when this rail crisis will be fixed?
Mr HINCHLIFFE: I want to thank the member for Glass House for his question. We will have a
consistent and reliable timetable going forward. We have heard from the Premier and from myself,
confirming the advice from the acting CEO of Queensland Rail, Mr Neil Scales, that this week we will
have in place a consistent and reliable timetable for the remainder of this calendar year. What we will
also be doing is working with the whole of the organisation to ensure that as we develop and build the
capacity of our train crew capability that we will be able to determine a timetable for the new year to be
introduced in line with the introduction of the Fairer Fares commitment of this government to support
our community to have access to the best and most affordable public transport.
That timetable has been set down today and that timetable is one that I have great confidence
that myself, working with the acting CEO and, I must say, acknowledging the support and engagement
and assistance of the employees at the front-line in this space, the train drivers and guards themselves,
that they are seeking to undertake the reforms that are needed to work with us to ensure that we
increase the capacity of our train crews to crew our city services. This is vitally important because the
customers, the commuters across our Citytrain network, expect and want to have this sort of reliability.
I know when I have been travelling by train over the last few days into the city, when I have been talking
to other customers and other commuters, that I have been hearing from them on platforms across our
city network the challenges that they have experienced with the failed implementation by Queensland
Rail of the 4 October timetable. I have heard some very good feedback more generally about that
timetable and will be acting on that as part of these reviews and reforms to deliver a timetable that all
of our commuters can rely upon and have confidence in.
Let me be clear: what we have been delivering under the current interim timetable is Monday to
Thursday, 4.76 per cent more services than people were getting in September. On Friday we are getting
5.3 per cent more services than the network was getting in September. We will continue to work to
make sure that we deliver reliable services that the community can have confidence in. >

<Moreton Bay Rail Link
Mr EMERSON: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Can the minister explain why it did
not occur to him in the first 10 months he was Transport minister, before the opening of the Moreton
Bay Rail Link, to ask three simple words: are we ready?
Mr HINCHLIFFE: I want to thank the member for Indooroopilly for his question and I want to make
it clear that questions around the readiness of our system of Queensland Rail and of the Department
of Transport and Main Roads, about whether we were ready for the coming online of the Moreton Bay
Rail Link, I think have been fairly fundamentally canvassed in this place before. In fact, there were very
clear questions I asked. I asked them of both these agencies and got slightly different responses and
took decisive action to make sure that we delayed the bringing on line of the Moreton Bay Rail Link.
That is why whenever I was asking questions I was seeking detailed responses and in relation
to the train crew the responses I was getting were, 'It is in hand. It is being dealt with. There are no
issues.' However, since the member for Indooroopilly has asked the question, let us come to the root
source of these challenges. Not to excuse Queensland Rail for its failure to act and advise in recent
times, but the root cause is the fact that 1,700 Queensland Rail employees were shown the door by the
member for Indooroopilly; it is the fact that 66 members of the driver training unit were shown the door
by the member for Indooroopilly in his time as the transport minister.
The question from the member for Indooroopilly provides me with an absolutely great opportunity,
as part of my response on these very important issues, to recommend that the member speaks to his
colleague the Leader of the Opposition, so that they can agree to release all of the documents that
show how the former government acted in relation to these matters. It is very important that, through

3942 Questions Without Notice 1 Nov 2016
his work, Phillip Strachan gets to the bottom of this gross failure, which is impacting the commuting
public of Brisbane and Queensland. We need to get to the bottom of this gross failure and the
documents, reports and decisions of the previous government need to be part of the analysis of those
issues. I welcome analysis of my engagement and involvement. I trust that those opposite welcome it,
as well. >

<Queensland Rail
Mr MANDER: My question is to the Minister for Transport. I table an email from QR recruitment
dated 22 April 2016 to a job applicant for a Citytrain guard role.
Tabled paper: E-mail, dated Tuesday, 25 October 2016, to the Clayfield Electorate Office regarding Queensland Rail Train Crew
shortage.
It reads—
Please be advised that due to a change in business requirements we are no longer recruiting externally for these roles.
Can the minister explain why QR has not employed new, external trainee guards for six months when
the Indec report clearly shows recruitment was necessary?

3944 Questions Without Notice 1 Nov 2016
Mr HINCHLIFFE: I thank the member for Everton for his question. It gives me an opportunity to
revisit my ministerial statement from earlier this morning when I made it clear that the recruitment
process that relates to drivers and guards is, in the first instance, an internal one that is determined and
was strengthened by the arrangements contained in the enterprise bargaining agreement which was
established in 2013. The former chief executive, Helen Gluer, said in correspondence on 3 February
2016—
Queensland Rail also has obligations under the Queensland Rail Traincrew Certified Agreement 2013—
which was signed off by those opposite when in government—
which requires us to follow a process when recruiting for train drivers. Before any external recruitment is to be undertaken,
vacancies are to be filled through internal driver transfers and with Queensland Rail train guards. However, please be assured,
should we be unsuccessful in filling all vacancies internally Queensland Rail will look to commence the recruitment of external
applicants within the first half of this year.
That has not occurred. I reiterate that that is a failing of Queensland Rail. I have reiterated this
morning that there have been numerous failings of Queensland Rail in this regard. What I am about is
working closely with the acting CEO to make sure we address these issues and that once we have
gone through the process of internal recruitment as required that we open up to external recruitment
opportunities.
This is already occurring now in consultation and engagement with the employees. As I flagged
this morning, there is a process underway to immediately seek to recruit recently retired drivers and to
bring them in to have their capability and ensure that they support the moves we are making to build
our capacity.
The reality is that we have seen some recently retired—maybe some not retired by choice, as
they might otherwise have been—because of the actions of those opposite. We will be in a good
position, I trust, to work with our employees to make sure that we bring on train drivers and guards to
crew our trains, to ramp up our capacity, to improve reliability and to deliver reliability that quite rightly
and quite justifiably commuters in South-East Queensland demand and should expect. I demand it of
QR as well.
(Time expired) >

<Queensland Rail
Mrs SMITH: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Will the minister guarantee that no more
services will be cut from the latest interim QR timetable?
Mr HINCHLIFFE: I thank the member for Mount Ommaney for her question and reiterate the
statements we have heard in the House this morning from the Premier and I and in my answer to an
earlier question highlighting the work that is being done with the acting CEO, Neil Scales, to confirm
and deliver a timetable that all customers and commuters can rely on for the remainder of this calendar
year and the commitment to working on an improved and enhanced timetable to come in line with the
delivery of the Fairer Fares policy—a policy that delivers lower public transport fares for all people
across the South-East Queensland public transport network—in January.
Let me take the opportunity to highlight how we have been delivering in relation to the interim
timetable that has been in place. I want to acknowledge and thank the train crew, drivers and guards
who have committed to supporting us in maintaining and delivering the level of reliability that we have
been able to deliver in these very challenged circumstances as a consequence of the misdeeds and
misaction of Queensland Rail.
When we look at the on-time experience for last week, I note that on Tuesday, 25 October the
am peak on-time running performance was 98.63 per cent and the pm peak on-time running
performance was 93.84 per cent. On Wednesday, 26 October, the am peak on-time running
performance was 91.78 per cent and the pm peak on-time running performance was 93.15 per cent.
On Thursday, 27 October, the am peak on-time running performance was 99.32 per cent—
Mrs SMITH: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I asked the minister if he could guarantee that
there would be no more cuts to interim services. I do not believe he has answered the question. Can
you guarantee it, Minister?
Mr SPEAKER: The minister's answer is relevant. I call the minister if he has anything further to
add.
Mr HINCHLIFFE: On Thursday, 27 October, the pm peak on-time running performance was
95.21 per cent. On Friday, 28 October, noting that Fridays are one of the challenging periods in the way
the rosters are working, the am peak on-time running performance was 96.71 per cent and the pm peak
on-time running performance was 95.71 per cent.
The question was around cuts. I think the question that hangs very heavily on those opposite
now is about their responsibility for cuts—their cuts to the Queensland Rail driver unit. I encourage the
member for Mount Ommaney to implore her leader to provide the information that is relevant to their
time in government.
(Time expired)

[achiruel]

All the name-calling and blaming doesn't really help anyone though does it?

What are QR actually doing about getting more drivers? I read or heard somewhere (don't recall where, sorry) that recently retired drivers are being contacted to see if they want to return to work part-time. What about attempting to recruit drivers from interstate, would that reduce the amount of training required (particularly from Perth as our trains are so similar to theirs)?

[tazzer9]

All the name-calling and blaming doesn't really help anyone though does it?

What are QR actually doing about getting more drivers? I read or heard somewhere (don't recall where, sorry) that recently retired drivers are being contacted to see if they want to return to work part-time. What about attempting to recruit drivers from interstate, would that reduce the amount of training required (particularly from Perth as our trains are so similar to theirs)?

Queensland was always known for being a foreign black hole when it came to interstate drivers trying to get a job here.   In theory, getting drivers from adelaide or perth sounds good because of the very similar signalling, they also have other operational differences.   


The only way getting interstate drivers here quickly would be to get a Queensland qualified guard to travel alongside them in the cabin, along with another guard in their usual role (3 person crew).  This would likely work as requirements for a guard are lower, so medical reasons won't keep as many from returning.  It would also open up a larger pool, such as those from volunteer organisations, along with pac nat and aurizon.

[red dragin]

Most railway volunteers (like myself) have day jobs.

[tazzer9]

yeah, but can you be enticed by doing some weekend or night work for $100 an hour. 


I still believe they should just stop all saturday and sunday services and replace them all with free buses until further notice.  Would also allow some extra trackwork to be carried out. 

[ozbob]

I still believe they should just stop all saturday and sunday services and replace them all with free buses until further notice.  Would also allow some extra trackwork to be carried out.

No way thanks. Would be far too expensive and inconvenient.  Unsafe as well.

[BrizCommuter]

yeah, but can you be enticed by doing some weekend or night work for $100 an hour. 


I still believe they should just stop all saturday and sunday services and replace them all with free buses until further notice.  Would also allow some extra trackwork to be carried out.

That's rediculous. Some people have to work weekends, then there are events, sporting events, etc.

[ozbob]

Ex Queensland Rail boss Helen Gluer paid $158K in lieu of notice. @tennewsqld #qldpol

— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) November 1, 2016

Former QR chair Michael Klug did not receive a payout after resigning last week #qldpol @couriermail

— Anthony Templeton (@anto_templeton) November 1, 2016

[James]

I still believe they should just stop all saturday and sunday services and replace them all with free buses until further notice.  Would also allow some extra trackwork to be carried out.

Terrible idea. Buses following the rail alignment can be really slow and would just deter PT use. I'd much rather see QR staff revert to the former timetable with shuttles for the KR line (and maybe thru services in the peaks as extensions of Petrie trains). Reintroduce the full timetable in time for school going back in 2017.

Temporary PR disaster, but long term it is out of everybody's minds. As long as these cancellations continue, the rail fail is going to continue to be at the centre of everybody's minds, and will be something noticed by all rail users. At least if the timetable reverted, you'd cheese off commuters on the Kippa-Ring line and have some cranky people losing the off-peak Caboolture express, but most other commuters would be happy. You might even please a few people by doing this (notably, pax at Nundah and Toombul).

[red dragin]

yeah, but can you be enticed by doing some weekend or night work for $100 an hour. 

But I'm only "qualified" as a guard or station master on a short section of track, under staff working, at a maximum speed of 40kmhr (normally about 20kmhr). QPSR staff are only good for the branch from the racecourse to swanbank loop, again under staff working. And most organisations run on about a dozen or so active volunteers.

Sure, I'd consider $100 an hour, but best I could do is sweep platforms. Couldn't even clean windscreens without additional training due to the overhead.

[urbanplanr]

I too think they should just revert back to the old timetable until they sort this out. It's better to inconvenience MBRL commuters rather than inconvenience the wider QR network.

[ozbob]

. @QueenslandRail will need to revert to pre-RPL timetable with shuttles on RPL until all route training complete. IMHO.#qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 1, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail driver shortages

More reports have emerged, confirming Queensland Rail was repeatedly warned it did not have enough train drivers and guards.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has now demanded all relevant documents from Queensland Rail, complaining he had only seen another warning for the first time on Tuesday.

A shortage of drivers continues to play havoc with Brisbane's trains but the transport minister refuses to resign. Nine News

And it has been revealed former chief executive officer Helen Gluer received a $158,214 payout after resigning on October 27.

Advice from public transport software and optimisation company GIRO provided to Queensland Rail in March 2016 warns: "QR's current driver and guard resource levels are not sufficient".

Another report from GIRO dated October 21, 2016 reaffirms the driver shortage.

The letter from GIRO also says unless Queensland Rail can modify some rules, there is little point in attempting another version of the Moreton Bay Rail Link job cards as the results would remain unchanged.

It is understood the rules include conditions for train crews, such as 20-minute breaks and some workers only being able to work on certain lines.

It comes after a report from Indec, provided to Queensland Rail in January, surfaced on Tuesday, showing it knew about driver shortage issues 10 months ago.

More reports warning of driver shortages surface, as former CEO's payout on resigning revealed.

The debacle came to a head after 100 services were cancelled in October, as a driver shortage came to a crunch following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.

Mr Hinchliffe said he asked Queensland Rail for GIRO's March report on Tuesday morning, and was also provided with the October report.

"This was the first time I had been provided with these reports and the first time I had been made aware of the existence of the October report," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"In both letters from GIRO it is again painfully clear that Queensland Rail personnel were aware of the risks of train crew shortages associated with the new timetable."

Mr Hinchliffe has asked acting chief executive officer Neil Scales to rapidly provide him all with all documents associated with the issue.

"I determined it was required to seek all QR documents, separate to the work of the investigation," he said.

"The need to now proactively and painstakingly extract information from an agency is a highly unusual position for a minister to be in and speaks to the failure of management."

In the October letter, GIRO says it notes with "sympathy and concern" the difficulties that accompanied the introduction of the Moreton Bay Rail Line extension and the way it was portrayed in the media.

"We are sure that you will agree that none of these difficulties can be attributed to GIRO or the HASTUS software," it reads.

Meanwhile Mr Hinchliffe said Ms Gluer gave three months notice when she was resigned as required in her employment contract.

Queensland Rail made a payment in lieu of the three month period for $158,214.

She was also paid out for her accrued leave entitlements.

Chairman Michael Klug also resigned, but Mr Hinchliffe said his resignation was effective immediately and no payout was made.

It comes after revelations that more services would be cancelled on Tuesday afternoon, as part of the fall-out from a shortage of train drivers.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe clueless on rail crisis for 11 days

EMBATTLED Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has admitted he only demanded Queensland Rail hand over documents related to the timetable debacle 11 days into the crisis.

Despite meeting with QR figures on more than 40 occasions between December 2015 and September this year, Mr Hinchliffe has consistently maintained he was not properly briefed about possible driver shortages.

The Transport Minister yesterday avoided the media after The Courier-Mail revealed the existence of a February report prepared for QR by Indec that warned of train crew problems.

Mr Hinchliffe was completely unaware of the report and was forced to scramble to obtain a copy on Monday night following the paper's ­inquiries, with a January draft version only reaching him at 9.20pm.

The report involved interviews with 26 QR staff – with most drawn from management – and included input from QR chief operating officer Kevin Wright.

Yesterday, Mr Hinchliffe admitted to Parliament that it was only after he became aware of the damning Indec report that he moved to demand QR stump up all key documents.

"Overnight and this morning I requested all relevant internal and external documents held by Queensland Rail relating to this matter," he said.

"Until this time I had been entirely focused on overseeing Queensland Rail delivering a workable timetable for commuters, whilst the Premier's investigation examined the issue." Mr Hinchliffe was also made aware during a meeting on October 20 that a different piece of advice had warned QR of crew shortages in March.

Yet he admitted he only requested a copy of that advice – compiled by Canadian firm Giro – yesterday morning, with the document landing on his desk in the afternoon.

The March 17 advice warned that "QR's current driver and guard resource levels are not sufficient".

Mr Hinchliffe also produced an October 21 letter from Giro to QR, in which the firm noted it had "already repeatedly voiced its concerns both verbally and in writing".

The Minister – who was yesterday spared from facing a no-confidence motion by Speaker Peter Wellington's casting vote – conceded it was the "first time" he had been advised of the October document's existence.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday backed her beleaguered Minister, fending off Opposition calls for his ­resignation.

"I have glimpsed through that report as well and it is very clear that some 20 senior people in Queensland Rail were interviewed as part of this report and not one of them saw fit to raise it with government – not one," she said. "That is atrocious and appalling. We are determined to fix this up."

Ms Palaszczuk also tried to run interference by demanding the Opposition hand over documents relating to train crew recruitment and the Next Generation Rollingstock to the investigation into the debacle commissioned by the Government and headed up by former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan.

At one stage, she even made reference to Peter Costello's Commission of Audit. Labor accused the LNP of having previously slashed driver trainer numbers – though the Opposition says it disputes those figures.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell yesterday told Mr Hinchliffe: "Knowing nothing, Minister, is as bad as being complicit in this complete and utter rail fail. You cannot be a Sergeant Schultz when you are a minister. You cannot constantly claim to know nothing."

Meanwhile, a Queensland Rail recruiting drive to fill 200 driver and guard positions was only able to net as few as 79 successful candidates because it was hamstrung by a union agreement.

In an October briefing note to Mr Hinchliffe, QR said it had been trying to recruit candidates since December 2015, but a union agreement that restricted them to hiring internally meant their efforts had only filled a fraction of the ­vacancies.

"The recruitment was undertaken internally with drivers being sourced from the existing guard cohort and new guards being sourced internally also," the briefing note states.

"This approach was in line with union consultation. The recruitment drive resulted in 79 successful candidates, which represents 39 per cent of the 100 drivers and guards target."