Redcliffe Peninsula line & associated changes - rail

[#Metro]

This not "commercial-in-confidence" or any other excuse governments may give -- someone has been toting up the costs.  The issue is whether an accountable government will come clean with residents and taxpayers.

It isn't commercial in confidence. There is no competitor for Department of Transport and Main Roads staff. It's a monopoly.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail refusing to co-operate with investigation into bungled timetable and driver shortages

QUEENSLAND Rail has refused to co-operate with an investigation into its bungled timetable and driver shortages — denying documents, dodging interviews and spending taxpayer money on lawyers to help hide staff.

Review head Phillip Strachan detailed the extraordinary claims in a letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as he complained the train operator's actions "put at risk my ability to undertake a proper investigation".

The shock development yesterday saw a furious Ms Palaszczuk grant Mr Strachan extra powers to ­compel the QR board and its workers to co-operate.

Mr Strachan — who is tasked with finding out how QR ­managed to adopt a timetable — despite warnings it didn't have the train crews to meet it — said he had received just three documents from a raft demanded by him as the board made his job ­impossible.

He said despite requesting board papers and minutes dating back to January 2015, he had been sent only the meeting agendas.

"The Queensland Rail Board is concerned about ­confidentiality and intends to review all board papers and minutes and redact anything that is considered confidential," Mr Strachan wrote.

"In relation to interviews, the Queensland Rail Board is insisting on agreeing (to) protocols that include a commitment from me that interview details remain confidential."

He said he was unable to agree to such terms and so had been unable to interview a ­single person.

"I understand Queensland Rail has also ­engaged external legal counsel to advise them in relation (to) confidentiality," he said.

And his ability to ­interview "key personnel" had been hampered by legal ­issues raised by potential interviewees.

Thousands of southeast Queensland commuters were delayed and frustrated by the chaos that resulted from the problems at QR.

The Premier said the answers to the mess were in the documents being withheld.

"I am furious that he's not getting the documents and co-operation he needs," she said.

QR's obfuscation follows the board signing off on more than $7 million in bonuses to staff and executives paid last month in the wake of the timetabling saga that further angered the Government.

Former QR chair Michael Klug and chief executive Helen Gluer stepped down in October as scores of services were cancelled each day.

[ozbob]

Beyond farce now I am afraid ...

Service cancellations continue, albeit compounded by the usual bridge strikes and other moron led incidents.

It is very difficult to have confidence in the review, Queensland Rail or the Queensland Government if this is not sorted pronto.

Queensland Rail is signing its death warrant, the Government fails to act?  Bring on #qldvotes ...

[ozbob]

Rail bosses are reportedly refusing to cooperate in a Queensland Rail Review. #9News pic.twitter.com/j7aLg1ZZJW

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) November 24, 2016

[#Metro]

QUEENSLAND Rail has refused to co-operate with an investigation into its bungled timetable and driver shortages — denying documents, dodging interviews and spending taxpayer money on lawyers to help hide staff.

We can put an end to this. It is so simple.

I have seen enough. I have heard enough.

I support the privatisation of Brisbane Transport and Queensland Rail. Bring on competitive contracting!

The Brisbane bus network and SEQ Rail network must be opened up to all to apply.

I make no apologies for this.

People keep telling me that TransLink just needs to get balls, teeth or "the power".

Well here it is - give TransLink the power to REJECT a contract. Give TransLink the power to say "We looked at your bid application, we thought about it and we decided to look elsewhere. Sorry!!"

It would totally deal with the mess at Brisbane Transport and Queensland Rail. If you want an "independent" bus and train operator privatisation and competitive contracting does exactly that.

One of the first things that should be done to privatise Queensland Rail is the Treasurer and Minister for Transport should transfer their shareholdings in Queensland Rail to the state-owned investment corporation QIC.

Let the state investment fund make the changes necessary for QR. It would continue to be completely state-owned, so even pro-state ownership people in Labor could do it and it technically not be a privatisation. They are happy to sell off property assets on the basis that "it does not generate an income or it is not an income producing business". If that is so, then that principle they made up also applies in this case too.

Then announce that at the end of contract expiry (or some future date) operation of the rail network will be open to all, including MTR Hong Kong.

The way Brisbane Transport refused meetings on six occasions in 2013 with bus review staff and its continued politicisation plus QR not being able to up a timetable (despite multiple warnings), awarding themselves $7 million in bonuses while the rail network fell apart, and now allegedly blocking the investigator is just unbelievable.

Do you think an organisation that behaves like that is going to last 2sec in the private sector? I don't!

And I know that I am not the only one on this forum who has come around to this view:

Friday, November 11, 2016
Stop Press: QR axe Rosewood Line weekend services
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2016/11/stop-press-qr-axe-rosewood-line-weekend.html

BrizCommuter thinks that it is time for the transport minister Stirling Hinchcliffe (pictured) to also be "cancelled", and also time to again question whether a more competent private company could run QR much better. The worsening train woes are likely to cause the Palaszczuk government to be annihilated at the next election - Queensland voters do not taken fools gladly.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail is gone for all money now I reckon.  LNP will be back and they will certainly flog it off.

Nothing needs to be done, it will all occur from here.   I am going to start to look at the best options for the end of Queensland Rail.

The present government is unable to save itself, nor Queensland Rail.  They are unable to sort Victoria Bridge, direct proper bus network reform, institute all door boarding on frequent buses,  open a simple branch railway line, sort out NGR trains, maintain a decent timetable for rail services, deliver CRR or Sunshine Coast Line upgrade.  The government is a sham, total wank fest.  I don't really care who I upset any more.

The system has to go DOO, and I guess it will come post #qldvotes and with the changes after that.

Queensland Rail is writing its epitaph ' Queensland RailFail '  sadly.   

[#Metro]

There is one boundary condition I place on these privatisations: they must absolutely NOT be franchises. They must be contracts that pay for services delivered irrespective of patronage. That is a successful and proven model.

Franchising, where the revenue is kept by the operator is a proven failure and must not be reattempted.

We also need a strong and independent government regulator. I absolutely believe in government regulation and control, and for that TransLink needs to be taken out of TMR and given The Power to REJECT a contract for any bus or rail operator.

This mess has come about because we do not have the power to say NO. We have no boundaries or standards. Anything goes!!
Look at Brisbane Transport - didn't bother to turn up to meetings, ran buses late for YEARS and didn't meet on time standards.
Now they are going to slow all the buses down AND get paid MORE for it. Really?! 

Penalties are purely toothless because it is effectively the government fining itself. Pointless!

The current setup is like living in a one-party state. Every objection is met with suggestions that perhaps if the leader is changed or the executives are changed, or fresh faces (from the same party of course), things will change. Tinkering around the edges really.

In a democracy, a party that fails to deliver can change the leader. They can reshuffle their cabinet. They can get new faces. And if we are still not happy, we can vote them out at the ballot box and get a completely new party to run government.

Can you believe we don't have that option with Queensland Rail or Brisbane Transport?

We should have that option. It is our railway and bus network, not Queensland Rail's or Brisbane Transport's.

It is what our taxes pay for. It is a privilege to run these systems, not a right. And we should have the right to choose another operator
if we want to.

It must end!!

[#Metro]

I posted this earlier in this thread, and it has come TRUE! 

"The Queensland Rail Board is concerned about ­confidentiality and intends to review all board papers and minutes and redact anything that is considered confidential," Mr Strachan wrote.

"In relation to interviews, the Queensland Rail Board is insisting on agreeing (to) protocols that include a commitment from me that interview details remain confidential."

He said he was unable to agree to such terms and so had been unable to interview a ­single person.

"I understand Queensland Rail has also ­engaged external legal counsel to advise them in relation (to) confidentiality," he said.

FOI Processing:

[ozbob]

Obviously trying to shield themselves from blame and being held to account.

Lost all confidence in this sham process now.

[ozbob]

pic.twitter.com/7bHxj2b5Qn

— Patrick Condren (@PatrickCondren) November 24, 2016

[ozbob]

25th November 2016

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Queensland Rail Train Crewing Practices Inquiry

The Palaszczuk Government has upgraded an independent investigation into Queensland Rail (QR) Train Crewing Practices to a Commission of Inquiry so it can secure documents from the former Newman Government and QR.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Executive Council had approved Mr Phillip Strachan, who was appointed to undertake the independent investigation in October, to be a Commissioner with his examination to now be a Commission of Inquiry.

"I said Phillip Strachan needed to get to the bottom of what has happened with the train crewing practices at Queensland Rail," she said.

"Mr Strachan has written to me to say he has not received the documents he needs."

"We want answers.  To get those answers, Mr Strachan needs the documents."

"I warned that if Mr Strachan wasn't getting cooperation we would extend his powers.  We have had to do just that."

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe wrote to Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls on 1 November to provide copies of all cabinet documents of the Newman Government relating to Queensland Rail operational matters.

"Tim Nicholls was shareholding Minister for Queensland Rail for almost three years. In the public interest, he should release the documents of his Government about Queensland Rail," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The Newman-Nicholls Government made savage cuts to Queensland Rail in its time in office.  They cut more than 1700 staff and put a freeze on recruitment."

Mr Strachan's powers are extended under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 and be conducted similar to the current Independent Review of Youth Detention.

Terms of Reference for the Strachan Inquiry

The Inquiry will cover two sections.

Circumstances leading up to and associated with the disruptions to the CityTrain timetable:

        The adequacy of Queensland Rail scheduling, rostering, training crewing, recruitment and training practices, including arrangements put in place to support the new timetable that commenced 4 October 2016;
        What circumstances led to any inadequacies in part 1a;
        When deficits in train crew availability were known about and what action was taken ahead of the commissioning of the Redcliffe Peninsula line to address these issues; and
        The nature and suitability of actions taken by Queensland Rail once the train crewing issues manifested under the new timetable.

Implementation of the five point plan to restore timetabled services and public confidence in Queensland Rail timetabling:

    Progress with the recruitment and training of the additional 200 drivers (100 approved in November 2015, and 100 announced on 24 October 2016) and 200 additional guards (100 approved in November 2015, and 100 announced on 24 October 2016);
    Future demand and supply requirements for train crew, including for the crewing of New Generation Rollingstock;
    Ensuring the suitability of current and proposed Queensland Rail recruitment practices to address the issues in 2b;
    The development and delivery of the interim timetable; and
    The suitability of arrangements and timeframes to transition from the interim timetable to the full timetable.

[ozbob]

First thing I would do is dismiss the entire Queensland Rail board.

Utter incompetence IMHO !

[ozbob]

How dumb can Queensland Rail be?  By with holding and not cooperating fully the Government now forces them ..

NOT. A. GOOD. LOOK.

Expect more heads to roll now ...   

[#Metro]

How dumb can Queensland Rail be?

Must be pretty smart given that a Labor Ex-Transport minister is now sitting on it and apparently a business group lobbyist also...

:conf

We couldn't put actual train company directors on a train operator's board there could we? Like, I don't know, MTR Corporation?!

And for people who are calling for a replacement of the board, the board appears to be replaced regularly, half of current lot appear to have only had their posts for a few months! 

You can change as many faces as you want - issue is structural. Privatise!!

If they want to run trains in SEQ - they have to EARN IT!

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT

Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Thursday, October 06, 2016

Palaszczuk Government welcomes Queensland Rail board appointments

Treasurer Curtis Pitt has welcomed reappointments and new appointments to the board of the Queensland Rail.

Mr Pitt said the reappointment of QR chair Michael Klug and directors John Mickel and Paul Wallis, as well as the appointment of new directors Renaye Peters, Stephen Cantwell and Jemina Dunn for the next three years would ensure the ongoing delivery of crucial services for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

Minister for Transport, Stirling Hinchliffe, said the new directors all possessed demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders to provide strategic direction to large and complex organisations.

"I am confident we have found the most suitably qualified people with the skills and capabilities needed to guide the innovative and customer-focused Queensland Rail into the future," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Michael Klug holds a Bachelor of Laws and has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia. As a Partner at Clayton Utz since 1976, he also brings extensive experience as a director for private companies, not-for-profits and in the educational sector.

John Mickel was a state MP from 1998 to 2012 and has extensive experience with the operations of government-owned corporations through his time as Minister for Transport, Minister for Trade, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for State Development, Minister for Energy, and Minister for the Environment.

Paul Wallis is the Principal of Arup, a private company providing building engineering, infrastructure engineering, project management, sustainability consulting, planning and urban design services, and is a member of numerous prominent institutes and societies.

Renaye Peters brings more than 25 years of construction, infrastructure, property and mining industry experience, and has held numerous executive roles at Leighton Contractors, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Visionstream and Conrad Gargett.

Stephen Cantwell brings more than 10 years' experience in senior management roles with rail and transport businesses including QR Limited. He currently sits on the Board of Port of Brisbane and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow of the Centre for Integrated Engineering Asset Management.

Jemina Dunn has over 10 years' experience as an Executive Director and Non-Executive Director with Ai Group and the Department of the Premier of Cabinet, and is a Guest Lecturer with the University of Queensland's School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management.

The board appointments commence on 1 October 2016 and expire on 30 September 2019.

With more than 6,500km of tracks linking 216 stations across Queensland, Queensland Rail manages more than $6.9 billion in total assets and generates $1.9 billion in revenue every year.

Queensland Rail has a workforce of more than 6,000 who service more than 50 million customer journeys on the Citytrain​ network in South-East  Queensland and more than 700,000 customer journeys on long-distance and tourist trains every year.

Media contact:  Treasurer - 0447 316 432

Minister for Transport – 0475 950 772

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/6/palaszczuk-government-welcomes-queensland-rail-board-appointments

[ozbob]

Replace the board with people with rail expertise .. simple.

[#Metro]

Replace the board with people with rail expertise .. simple.

I openly wonder if that is possible - the board members were appointed only just last month and have signed employment contracts with the Government. They have a three year term.

I am not sure if the Premier can fire them. First, you have to prove that they did something or knew something and then next dismiss them - they could sue the gov't for breach of employment contract or ask for payout for break of contract. More $$

Maybe Annastacia Palaszczuk should be asked if she actually has that power, because I don't think she can. And you still have to go through natural justice etc. Difficult to hold someone who just arrived on the board as responsible...

My guess is the board would remain intact until 2019.

[ozbob]

Government can get rid of any of them at any time.

In view of the attempts to not disclose information they all should resign IMHO anyway.

The fact that the Government has had to direct and enforce is very very serious.

:bi

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk government upgrades Queensland Rail investigation

[ozbob]

When railways had a Commissioner (SA still does btw), and a Minister for Railways, and ' customers ' were passengers, railways rolled along fine. What we are seeing now is a march to oblivion!

[BrizCommuter]

I think there should be public transport advocate on QR's board.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th November 2016

Sack the QR Board Premier !

Greetings,

I have just listened to the Premier say on radio that the Queensland Rail Board, Queensland Rail and the Opposition have actively obstructed the Strachan Inquiry and that is not acceptable.  Accordingly a Commission of Inquiry has now been set up.

For the record, on behalf of our members, I would like to state that we really feel for the now bewildered rank and file Queensland Rail staff who like most Queenslanders, are concerned with doing a good job for our community and earning an honest wage to support themselves and families as the case may be.

It is unacceptable that there has been obstruction to the previous inquiry.  It is time that consideration was given to replacing,  in our opinion, the recalcitrant Queensland Rail Board and Executive Management that conspire to subvert the truth.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Sack the @QueenslandRail Board Premier !
> https://t.co/kZIjh67cf1#qldpol@AnnastaciaMP @StirlHinchliffe @Curtis_Pitt_MP pic.twitter.com/M3d9XSFkm5

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 25, 2016

[ozbob]

25th November 2016

Media release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Queensland Rail Inquiry

I met with Commissioner Phillip Strachan to discuss his Inquiry into Queensland Rail this afternoon.

Commissioner Strachan advised me that key documents provided by QR to date had been "heavily redacted".

However, he advised that he had a positive meeting with QR this morning following the announcement of increased powers to undertake the Inquiry.

I have assured Commissioner Strachan of my Government's full cooperation, including the provision of Cabinet documents.

[ozbob]

" heavily redacted "  why?  To hide the truth no doubt ...

UTTER SHAMBLES !!

[ozbob]

http://www.timnicholls.com.au/palaszczuks-shiny-bauble-rail-inquiry/

Opposition Media Release

Palaszczuk's shiny bauble rail inquiry
   

• Annastacia Palaszczuk caught out using shiny bauble tactics to divert attention from serious failings of Department of Child Safety
• Letter reveals Phillip Strachan contacted Palaszczuk about his concerns two weeks ago – but "outraged" Palaszczuk only acts now
• LNP happy to cooperate with Commission of Inquiry – but it's clear this is a political stunt

Annastacia Palaszczuk has today been caught out using desperate diversionary tactics, announcing a Commission of Inquiry into her Government's Queensland Rail (QR) debacle to divert attention from the grave failings of the Department of Child Safety.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said hours after Annastacia Palaszczuk upgraded the QR investigation to a Commission of Inquiry, it was revealed that investigation boss Phillip Strachan had contacted Ms Palaszczuk about his concerns two weeks ago.

"If this was such a serious issue, why did Annastacia Palaszczuk sit on Mr Strachan's letter for two weeks before she announced today's Commission of Inquiry? Mr Nicholls said.

"This is nothing more than a shiny bauble to divert attention from the very grave problems we're seeing in the Department of Child Safety.

"The share-holding Ministers have the power to compel the board to act and cooperate with Mr Strachan's requests, so why didn't that happen before jumping to a Commission of Inquiry?

"The Minister has a handpicked Acting CEO in this position – what is this CEO doing?

"Annastacia Palaszczuk says she's outraged, she says she's angry – but in the time it's taken her to act she could have had a European holiday."

Mr Nicholls said he would be happy to sit down with Mr Strachan and discuss what he requires under the Commission of Inquiry Act.

"The Opposition will fully cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry but it needs to be made clear that Annastacia Palaszczuk is pulling a political stunt," he said.

"In the three weeks since his appointment, Mr Strachan has not approached the Opposition requesting any documents and he hasn't written to us or emailed us.

"We have a Transport Minister who won't take responsibility for trains and now we have Annastacia Palaszczuk protecting her incompetent Child Safety Minister via a political witch-hunt."

[ozbob]

.@QueenslandRail .. 5+ hours to come up with this. #timeforanap pic.twitter.com/WQTvoAwprp

— Patrick Condren (@PatrickCondren) November 25, 2016

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Just when you think things could not get much worse, they do hey?

It is the Queensland way ...  excelling in mediocrity  ... As George said ' Very very mediocre Opposition, very very mediocre Government ' ..

George ?  George  ... where are you ??    

[Labor labels George Brandis 'corrupt' following new Justin Gleeson revelations]

[urbanplanr]

http://www.timnicholls.com.au/palaszczuks-shiny-bauble-rail-inquiry/

Opposition Media Release

Palaszczuk's shiny bauble rail inquiry
   

• Annastacia Palaszczuk caught out using shiny bauble tactics to divert attention from serious failings of Department of Child Safety
• Letter reveals Phillip Strachan contacted Palaszczuk about his concerns two weeks ago – but "outraged" Palaszczuk only acts now
• LNP happy to cooperate with Commission of Inquiry – but it's clear this is a political stunt

Annastacia Palaszczuk has today been caught out using desperate diversionary tactics, announcing a Commission of Inquiry into her Government's Queensland Rail (QR) debacle to divert attention from the grave failings of the Department of Child Safety.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said hours after Annastacia Palaszczuk upgraded the QR investigation to a Commission of Inquiry, it was revealed that investigation boss Phillip Strachan had contacted Ms Palaszczuk about his concerns two weeks ago.

"If this was such a serious issue, why did Annastacia Palaszczuk sit on Mr Strachan's letter for two weeks before she announced today's Commission of Inquiry? Mr Nicholls said.

"This is nothing more than a shiny bauble to divert attention from the very grave problems we're seeing in the Department of Child Safety.

"The share-holding Ministers have the power to compel the board to act and cooperate with Mr Strachan's requests, so why didn't that happen before jumping to a Commission of Inquiry?

"The Minister has a handpicked Acting CEO in this position – what is this CEO doing?

"Annastacia Palaszczuk says she's outraged, she says she's angry – but in the time it's taken her to act she could have had a European holiday."

Mr Nicholls said he would be happy to sit down with Mr Strachan and discuss what he requires under the Commission of Inquiry Act.

"The Opposition will fully cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry but it needs to be made clear that Annastacia Palaszczuk is pulling a political stunt," he said.

"In the three weeks since his appointment, Mr Strachan has not approached the Opposition requesting any documents and he hasn't written to us or emailed us.

"We have a Transport Minister who won't take responsibility for trains and now we have Annastacia Palaszczuk protecting her incompetent Child Safety Minister via a political witch-hunt."

If Tim Nicholls wants to fully cooperate, he should first explain why previous documents during LNP administration are heavily redacted? Possibly find non-redacted documents if possible?

[ozbob]

According to the Premier's statement above it was the documents that QR provided that were ' heavily redacted ' ... 

No mention of LNP documents in that sense.

[locojoe67]

If or when qr is privatised, it will be messy and commuters will suffer the inevitable protests. DOO will be strenously resisted by the unions, notably on safety grounds. But the cost of running qr, which moves less passengers than the bus network but costs more, cant be ignored forever.

A Labour administration would have more to lose from a public and protracted stoush with unions, but the lnp could easily be back given electoral fickleness.

As was said, the seeds have been sown. I underdstand that former ceo Glen Dawe, a third generation qr man, reportedly resigned on principle after learning qr was to be privatised. Perhaps the timing, just a few years after the split of freight and passenger, was just too soon for any political party to effectively manage.

[James]

Nicholls/LNP hasn't been requested to release documents - I believe most of the focus is on QR at this point, and QR is trying to cover up the shambles by not cooperating.

Re: privatisation - competitive tender comes under 'Asset sales', ruled out by both sides of politics. I doubt we will see a privatised QR, even amidst this current disaster. The self-centered union only cares about the jobs of its members rather than the health of the organisation, so any attempt to privatise would result in a large union-run scare campaign. And so, another government-owned organisation falls victim to mismanagement and government incompetence. All together now!

Q U E E N S L A N D E R ! - Q U E E N S L A N D E R ! - Q U E E N S L A N D E R ! - Q U E E N S L A N D E R ! - Q U E E N S L A N D E R ! - Q U E E N S L A N D E R !

[#Metro]

Re: privatisation - competitive tender comes under 'Asset sales', ruled out by both sides of politics. I doubt we will see a privatised QR, even amidst this current disaster. The self-centered union only cares about the jobs of its members rather than the health of the organisation, so any attempt to privatise would result in a large union-run scare campaign. And so, another government-owned organisation falls victim to mismanagement and government incompetence. All together now!

It is not an asset sale, because the tracks, stations and trains are not being sold. Even in Victoria, they are all publicly owned by VicTrack.

The second thing is the current administration did sell off assets by creating a differential meaning between an asset sale and an asset* sale.

You can see the difference between an asset sale and an asset* sale here:

Queensland Premier Letter to Tony Abbott (PM)
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2015/5515T555.pdf

"As you know, Queenslanders rejected selling strategic-income producing assets at the State election in February this year."

Queensland Government denies plans to sell off state-owned land amounts to asset sales
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-06/queensland-government-plans-to-sell-off-state-owned-land/7907392

Queensland government accused of breaking asset sales promise
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-government-plans-land-selloff-for-urban-renewal-20161005-grvyn5.html

The QCU general secretary Ros McLennan said the union was not opposed to the plan because they were not income-producing assets.

Queensland Rail is also not an income producing asset. So clearly, it is not an asset sale, but an asset* sale, the latter of which is apparently acceptable.

If the shares the Minister of Transport and the Treasurer were transferred to Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) it would not be a privatisation or an asset sale because QIC is a State Government owned fund. QIC could build QR up aggressively over say two or three years and even contest rail operations in other cities outside of Queensland.

In fact, the ex-head of the Queensland Council of Unions, Mr John Battams was appointed by the Queensland Government to  be a director on the QIC. http://www.qic.com.au/about-qic/about-us/our-people/board-members

That could work really well, and far from being the end of QR, would be a completely new beginning.

It could even contest the contracts in Melbourne if it wanted to. And get paid for it.

After that time, you would open CT to the SEQ rail network. QR could bid for it, MTR and others if they wish. By then it would be in a very good position.

The more regional services (Tilts etc) are probably best kept in state hands as they are only run a few services per week. I doubt there would be any interest in them at all.

(And for those who don't like public services operated by ' corporations ', essential regional air transport services to country towns in

QLD are already competitively contracted) So it is just a red herring to insist that a company can't do it.

Queensland puts new regional air services contracts to market
http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2014/05/queensland-puts-new-regional-air-services-contracts-market/

The Queensland government has officially called for bids from airlines to operate services on seven regulated regional air routes in the state as it seeks to boost the frequency and quality of services to and from areas that would otherwise be unviable without official intervention.

[#Metro]

ABOUT QIC
http://www.qic.com.au/about-qic/about-us/who-we-are

"We were born with one objective – to deliver investment outcomes for our clients. Created in 1991 by the Queensland government to serve its long term investment responsibilities, we have grown into a Global Diversified Alternatives business.
We focus on our clients and their clients, first, last and only. Their objectives are our only objectives. We deliver to over 90 like-minded institutional investors in Australia and internationally.

We are bound by a common philosophy – to deliver investment outcomes. We have the capabilities relevant for today's investment landscape. Spanning infrastructure, real estate, liquid strategies, private equity, and multi-asset solutions, we adapt our approach to suit our clients and the investment context.

Predictability has built our reputation. It's in our DNA, embedded in our asset classes and delivered in our returns.  It's what we pursue day in, day out for our clients and why over $78 billion dollars* of people's dreams are entrusted with us."

There really is a double standard here, and it is interesting to see:

The Labor government is set to further benefit from privatisation via QIC's decision, as part of a consortium with the Future Fund, to buy a 20 per cent stake in the $9.7 billion deal to lease the Port of Melbourne

The government's appointees to the QIC board of directors ­include former union boss, anti-privatisation campaigner and current Queensland Labor Party president John Battams, and ­Stephen Dunne, a former chief executive of AMP Capital and current chairman of the union-backed super fund CBUS's $31bn investment committee.

Mr Pitt said he had no qualms about deriving a dividend from another state's asset.

"If they are able to get a benefit from a decision of another ­government that gives us an ­additional income stream whilst maintaining our income stream from our assets, I think that is a win-win," the Treasurer said.

Annastacia Palaszczuk's privatisation investments prop up coffers
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/annastacia-palaszczuks-privatisation-investments-prop-up-coffers/news-story/6429dd3722f471d2dac57bb5c031be04

[HappyTrainGuy]

All depends how you define income producing asset. No different than an economic producing asset.

The more regional services (Tilts etc) are probably best kept in state hands as they are only run a few services per week. I doubt there would be any interest in them at all.

Nope. Everything is done at Mayne. It comes as part of the package.

And you mention VicTrack. Makes no difference if VicTrack own it. VicTrack owns the infrastructure and rollingstock outright but it doesn't do a single thing to maintain any of that. The onus is still on someone else. So Metro look after their lines - by prolonging mtce and keeping the status quo to keep costs down for shareholders. V/Line look after their lines. Metro banned v/line from using their network because of certain rollingstock not being detected by level crossings. When VicRail finally became responsible for the freight lines they instantly passed it off to vline who passed it off to the ARTC. ARTC then inturns uses its own mtce crews or gets another railway services group to do particular work. VicTrack would only be made up of a couple hundred people and most of them would be officeworkers.

The equivalent here is pretty much Queensland Rail still owning the freight network out west and up north where its currently leased to Aurizon who are responsible for looking after and maintaining it for the next 92 years.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail board's future rests with one man

THE future of the Queensland Rail Board may rest in the hands of the man whose investigation they've been blocking.

After upgrading Phillip Strachan's review of QR to a Commission of Inquiry, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it would be open to him to ­recommend if anyone should lose their jobs over their refusal to co-operate.

"That's going to be a matter for Phillip Strachan," she said.

The Opposition accused the ­Premier of failing to act for a fortnight over Mr Strachan's extraordinary letter, dated ­November 10, that detailed how QR was stonewalling his attempts to find answers.

"If this was such a serious issue, why did Annastacia Palaszczuk sit on this letter from Mr Strachan for two weeks," Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said.

Mr Strachan yesterday met the Premier to complain that the few key documents that had been provided to him from QR were heavily redacted.

Later, a meeting between him and QR was described as "positive", with the QR Board issuing a statement promising to "fully support the Commission of Inquiry process".

But the vow followed a refusal to answer any questions regarding Mr Strachan's allegations that the board had denied him documents, refused interviews and had engaged outside legal counsel to invoke claims of confidentiality.

The board was yesterday asked by The Courier-Mail what information it had provided to Mr Strachan, whether anyone had been interviewed, the reasons for any delays and how much it had spent engaging outside lawyers on the matter.

Ignoring all questions, the board issued a three-line statement noting the inquiry had been upgraded to a Commission of Inquiry and promising to fully support the process.

Transport lobby group RAIL Back on Track called for immediate action against the board. "It is unacceptable that there has been obstruction to the previous inquiry," spokesman Robert Dow said.

[ozbob]

#railfail inq boss wrote re his concerns re access to docs 2 weeks ago. 'Angry ' Prem @AnnastaciaMP acted today pic.twitter.com/aUjupMHQQJ

— Patrick Condren (@PatrickCondren) November 25, 2016

[ozbob]

Opinion: How Can We Can Make @QueenslandRail Great Again?
> https://t.co/XMNApjpUJM#qldpol #auspol@QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens pic.twitter.com/p8x6qzm3mq

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 25, 2016

A Member's Blog Opinion piece

How Can We Can Make Queensland Rail Great Again? > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?blog=124;sa=topic;id=18

[#Metro]

TransLink needs to be given more power. Much more power.
Make it independent. And then give it the power to say NO to an operator.

[ozbob]

Thanks to @Metro for picking this up:

===============

QR's briefing for the first week of October under "Sensitivity"

• Rail Back on Track advocate, Robert Dow has been active on social media about the cancelled
services on Friday 30 September 2016.

• On Saturday 1 October 2016, Mr Dow emailed Queensland media outlets to raise the issue of
Friday's cancelled services and query Queensland Rail's ability to deliver the new timetable in
conjunction with the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2016/5516T1940.pdf