Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Media release: 10th May 2017

Qld: State Government should make most of Federal Budget infrastructure funding

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called on the state government to create new jobs and capitalise on the spending opportunities that rail infrastructure funding in tonight's Federal Budget will open up for all Queenslanders [ 1 ].

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"State Labor will highlight the lack of significant new federal spending for Cross River Rail (CRR) in tonight's Budget announcement. However $850m in state funding is available to begin construction in 2017-18, while a revised business case is worked up in accordance with guidelines laid down by Infrastructure Australia.  Transport Minister Trad's ambition that CRR construction should start before the end of the year can still be realised, with Federal Government finances doing the heavy lifting in the out years.

"Sadly, CRR has become hopelessly compromised by Queensland partisan politics. The revised project is yet to pass all the state government assessment processes. It needs to stack up on economic grounds and in ways that generate urban renewal. These plans have not been revealed, particularly how, together, CRR and Brisbane Metro will be used to redevelop the inner city suburbs both will serve. CRR was never going to receive direct funding in this year's Federal Budget because CRR is only at the third tier of priority.  It is presently a ' High Priority Initiative '. To be funded it needs to make the top tier ' High Priority Project ' [ 2 ]. It is pointless for the Government and so called  ' expert stake-holders ' bleating about the lack of funding.  The business case presentation has been botched.

"The state government's position that all other rail projects are on hold until CRR, its No.1 priority, is funded by the federal government. Tonight, we call on the state government to abandon this position as it is not correct or logical.

"The actions that Rail Back On Track seek are:

•   Immediate implementation of Automatic Train Protection (e.g. European Train Control System Level 2 or better) to allow more trains to operate safely on the existing SEQ suburban rail network
•   An Ipswich-Toowoomba regional revitalisation plan, in conjunction with local councils, to reinvigorate towns in the corridor based around a realigned and faster Inland Rail track that will halve train travel time to Toowoomba
•   Extension of the Springfield line to Redbank Plains and Ripley in the first instance, but ultimately to Ipswich to open up new opportunities for affordable housing in SEQ
•   Duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line to Landsborough North, then to Nambour ultimately and daily shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie North, and
•   Finally, an end to the secrecy surrounding delays in bringing New Generation Rolling stock into service in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The extra 75 trains are needed to ensure reliability, and also to generate opportunities for an extended SEQ rail network.

"The wider region needs to be better integrated using effective public transport. Road investment merely shifts the traffic jams from one location to another," Mr Dow said.

"With CRR stalled, we call on the Queensland Government to fast-track the $634m state-funded European Train Control System (ETCS) to ease peak congestion on the existing rail network through the city centre. It features an automatic braking system that enables trains to safely travel closer together and means an extra eight trains per hour will be able to move through the busy CBD. This becomes an important stop-gap measure while CRR is developed further.

"With the Federal Government committing an extra $8.4 billion through an equity injection into the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Project in tonight's Budget, the state government has an excellent opportunity to extend regular rail services and make available affordable housing opportunities in towns along the Brisbane-Toowoomba axis.

"The 126km section from Toowoomba to Kagaru, including large scale tunnelling, will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership arrangement. Under this delivery arrangement, the private sector will design, build, finance and maintain this section of the railway over a long-term concession period.

"Between Gowrie, just west of Toowoomba, and Calvert, near Rosewood, there will need to be 76km of new upgraded and dual gauge track. This will include 7.6km of tunnels to create an efficient route through the steep terrain of the Toowoomba and Little Liverpool Ranges.

"The opportunity exists for the state government to run commuter trains to Toowoomba in almost half the time it takes The Westlander train on the existing track and alignment. The travel time efficiency savings flowing from the track improvements will make rail highly competitive with cars for the journey from Toowoomba to Brisbane.

"Extending regular passenger rail services to Toowoomba also opens up an opportunity for people from Ipswich and the western suburbs of Brisbane to take advantage of international air travel being developed from the Western Brisbane Airport at Wellcamp, on the outskirts of Toowoomba.

"Inland Rail will be a game-changer for SEQ. To capitalise on community and economic benefits that will flow, the state government should partner with the Toowoomba, Lockyer and Ipswich councils on a regional growth plan for the corridor and the towns along the route.

"The state government should tap into the $10 billion National Rail Program announced tonight, directed at linking regional centres to capital cities.

"It is imperative also that the state government coordinate a Toowoomba-Brisbane rail services upgrade with investment in a Springfield-Ripley Valley rail line extension, eventually linking to Ipswich, to allow for urban consolidation that will power Ipswich's future expansion. Housing affordability is not just about bricks and mortar, but also how people connect with each other and with the wider community.

"Rather than crying over the lack of funding for key projects, Queensland needs to switch focus to capitalising on the best way to draw down the available funds the federal government has provided tonight, including the bring-forward of the Sunshine Coast Line duplication.

"Work on the $780 million duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line over 20km between Beerburrum and Landsborough North should proceed as quickly as possible, to be followed by a substantial upgrade of the remainder of the track, approximately 19km, to Nambour.

"While the 2017-18 Federal Budget does not deliver on all items in the Queensland infrastructure wish list, the test will be how agile the state government can be to maximise the benefits for this state based upon the program objectives and substantial regional rail funding on offer," Mr Dow said.

Contact:

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

References:

1.  Budget 2017-18
http://www.budget.gov.au/

2.  Infrastructure Priority List 2017 - Project and Initiative summaries
http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/Infrastructure-Priority-List.aspx

[Mr X]

Well there you go. Construction probably won't start until 2021 at the earliest!

[ozbob]

Well there you go. Construction probably won't start until 2021 at the earliest!

Yep.  Unless the State Government starts now (it has $850 M early works can be commenced) I think 2021 is actually optimistic.

Queensland has constantly been done over by other states with much more rigorous business cases so I am not overly confident they will successfully compete with the others for a share of the National Rail Fund. 

The one big show a few years ago with CRR sitting as #1 High Priority Project, a succession of Qld Govts jigged around politically and blew it.

It is entirely possible that ALP could end up in Government nationally and in that case they might ease the purse strings a little.

Not looking very good at all.  The correct response now by the State Government is to put out a statement. 

"CRR works begins now.  We are confident it will be funded further down the track.  We cannot waste any more time."

Chances of this happening are probably remote.  My guess is they will continue to shout at Canberra ' show us the money $$$$ '.

[ozbob]

#Budget2017 'slap in the face for Qld. $5b for a Sydney airport nothing for x river rail. I'm angry'@9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/Z8K0y3KPI1

— Shane Doherty (@ShaneDoherty9) May 10, 2017

[Stillwater]

Can the Premier's relationship with Canberra please get beyond the 'angry and furious' stage? 

[ozbob]

Chins up!



Connecting South East Queensland - Rail Revolution



^ they could not have done a more successful job of stuffing the system and turning people off PT hey?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Slap in the face' budget puts Cross River Rail start date under cloud

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is not a fan of the federal budget, describing it as a "slap in the face to Queensland".

Unhappy about the lack of specific funding for Brisbane's Cross River Rail project, Ms Palaszczuk said the budget cast doubt on whether work on the project would start this year, as hoped.

Instead, the government would have to vie with other projects for a slice of a $10 billion National Rail Program.

"It means we have to go back to the drawing board," she said.

Ms Palaszczuk described Cross River Rail as the "number one infrastructure project" in Australia and Queensland.

But Ms Palaszczuk and Treasurer Curtis Pitt were vague on whether the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project would get funding in the Queensland budget, to be handed down next month.

"We're still working on the budget ... it is going to be a jobs budget," she said.

The Premier described the federal budget as "good ...  if you live south of the border but it's not a good budget for Queensland".

"I'm very concerned that Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison have failed to put any money at all on the table for Cross River Rail," she said.

"I'm angry."

Federal Treasurer Mr Morrison defended the exclusion of the proposed Cross River Rail tunnel from the budget, saying the Queensland government hadn't proved it should be funded.

Mr Pitt said he was "bitterly disappointed about what has come from Scott Morrison's second budget".

"Quite frankly, we have a project which is ready to go but we do require federal contributions and recognition that this isn't just a major public transport infrastructure project, it is a city-shaping project for Brisbane," he said.

"And those things all mean that we should get some federal funding and it should be coming as quickly as possible."

[#Metro]

"It means we have to go back to the drawing board," she said.

No more please - the project cannot be cut down any further. What next, a single track CRR proposed to "save" even more money. Would be a very "Queensland" thing to do, hey?

But Ms Palaszczuk and Treasurer Curtis Pitt were vague on whether the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project would get funding in the Queensland budget, to be handed down next month.

If you wouldn't fund it yourself, why expect others to? The $850 million or so put in so far covers only around 15% project costs. A token amount.

"I'm angry."

[ozbob]

I think we can conclude CRR is not happening for another nine years or so, if ever.

Another example of failure that Queensland is expert in.

#FleeQLD

[#Metro]

^ They probably could fund it through "verboten" measures i.e. sell a power station or two.

They would also qualify for a Federal cash bonus (15%) too.

https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/economy/government-commercial-businesses/

States and territories will receive 15 per cent of the price of the asset sold if all the sale proceeds are allocated to new infrastructure investment.

http://www.budget.gov.au/2014-15/content/glossy/infrastructure/html/infrastructure_04.htm

[ozbob]

"The door's not closed, the pathway is pretty clear for the QLD government" @DarrenChesterMP on cross river rail

— News Talk 4BC 1116 (@NewsTalk4BC) May 10, 2017

or get your act together!

[ozbob]

Summary of QT in QLD Parliament today

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-politics-premiers-question-time-live-blog/news-story/7edd30b89cc43e399958f932a2ba7e2d

Trad: Cross River Rail is top priority

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Government supported inland rail, which scored funding in yesterday's federal Budget, but Cross River Rail was the state's most important project.

"Last night's Federal Budget – which was an opportunity for Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison to give real support to this once in a generation city-shaping project – monumentally failed to deliver," she said.

"And despite all the hype about a $10bn rail package, the reality is that under the Turnbull Government, there will be no contribution for Cross River Rail for at least another two years, and even then there's no guarantees.

"Our number one priority remains Cross River Rail. It is ready to be built now. In contrast, the construction of Inland Rail in Queensland is a long way from commencing."

Ms Trad said Queensland would likely be the last jurisdiction to benefit from inland rail due to the complexity of building that section.

Calls for CRR business case to be released

Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington took aim at the Palaszczuk Government's record on infrastructure spending.
"It takes more than being furious to get something done on infrastructure," she said.
"If Labor want to get something done in this term of government then release the business case for Cross River Rail."

Trad says CRR stacks up

Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad hit back at the Opposition's claims and said Cross River Rail's business case was more than 2000 pages long.
"That rigorous business case absolutely details the benefits that project will deliver to the people of southeast Queensland and the state as a whole," she said.
Ms Trad said the lack of funding delivered to Cross River Rail was not because of the business case as a transport project in WA was funded without one.

Premier: 'Show me the money'

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls asked the Premier why she won't release the Cross River Rail business case.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said all the details about the project were with the Federal Government.
"The Federal Government has the business case and they have had it since June last year," she said.
"We needed to see some dollars attached to Cross River Rail in last night's Budget.
"And what did we see? Absolutely nothing, zero."
Ms Palaszczuk also talked up the project's urban renewal opportunities.
She also attacked the Opposition and said they "needed to grow a backbone and stand up for Queensland".

CRR - 'It's ready to go'

Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson asked the Premier how she could claim Cross River Rail is "shovel-ready" if the project was back with the Coordinator General.
Ms Palaszczuk said it was "shameful" the Federal Government was turning its back on the project.
"It is still shovel-ready, it is ready to go," she said.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th May 2017

Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow!

Greetings,

Cross River Rail is shovel ready (Premier, Queensland Parliament today).

So start construction works.  Queensland has budgeted $850M already,   this will allow significant early works to proceed.

We cannot waste any more time.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Media release: 10th May 2017

Qld: State Government should make most of Federal Budget infrastructure funding

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called on the state government to create new jobs and capitalise on the spending opportunities that rail infrastructure funding in tonight's Federal Budget will open up for all Queenslanders [ 1 ].

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"State Labor will highlight the lack of significant new federal spending for Cross River Rail (CRR) in tonight's Budget announcement. However $850m in state funding is available to begin construction in 2017-18, while a revised business case is worked up in accordance with guidelines laid down by Infrastructure Australia.  Transport Minister Trad's ambition that CRR construction should start before the end of the year can still be realised, with Federal Government finances doing the heavy lifting in the out years.

"Sadly, CRR has become hopelessly compromised by Queensland partisan politics. The revised project is yet to pass all the state government assessment processes. It needs to stack up on economic grounds and in ways that generate urban renewal. These plans have not been revealed, particularly how, together, CRR and Brisbane Metro will be used to redevelop the inner city suburbs both will serve. CRR was never going to receive direct funding in this year's Federal Budget because CRR is only at the third tier of priority.  It is presently a ' High Priority Initiative '. To be funded it needs to make the top tier ' High Priority Project ' [ 2 ]. It is pointless for the Government and so called  ' expert stake-holders ' bleating about the lack of funding.  The business case presentation has been botched.

"The state government's position that all other rail projects are on hold until CRR, its No.1 priority, is funded by the federal government. Tonight, we call on the state government to abandon this position as it is not correct or logical.

"The actions that Rail Back On Track seek are:

•   Immediate implementation of Automatic Train Protection (e.g. European Train Control System Level 2 or better) to allow more trains to operate safely on the existing SEQ suburban rail network
•   An Ipswich-Toowoomba regional revitalisation plan, in conjunction with local councils, to reinvigorate towns in the corridor based around a realigned and faster Inland Rail track that will halve train travel time to Toowoomba
•   Extension of the Springfield line to Redbank Plains and Ripley in the first instance, but ultimately to Ipswich to open up new opportunities for affordable housing in SEQ
•   Duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line to Landsborough North, then to Nambour ultimately and daily shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie North, and
•   Finally, an end to the secrecy surrounding delays in bringing New Generation Rolling stock into service in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The extra 75 trains are needed to ensure reliability, and also to generate opportunities for an extended SEQ rail network.

"The wider region needs to be better integrated using effective public transport. Road investment merely shifts the traffic jams from one location to another," Mr Dow said.

"With CRR stalled, we call on the Queensland Government to fast-track the $634m state-funded European Train Control System (ETCS) to ease peak congestion on the existing rail network through the city centre. It features an automatic braking system that enables trains to safely travel closer together and means an extra eight trains per hour will be able to move through the busy CBD. This becomes an important stop-gap measure while CRR is developed further.

"With the Federal Government committing an extra $8.4 billion through an equity injection into the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Project in tonight's Budget, the state government has an excellent opportunity to extend regular rail services and make available affordable housing opportunities in towns along the Brisbane-Toowoomba axis.

"The 126km section from Toowoomba to Kagaru, including large scale tunnelling, will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership arrangement. Under this delivery arrangement, the private sector will design, build, finance and maintain this section of the railway over a long-term concession period.

"Between Gowrie, just west of Toowoomba, and Calvert, near Rosewood, there will need to be 76km of new upgraded and dual gauge track. This will include 7.6km of tunnels to create an efficient route through the steep terrain of the Toowoomba and Little Liverpool Ranges.

"The opportunity exists for the state government to run commuter trains to Toowoomba in almost half the time it takes The Westlander train on the existing track and alignment. The travel time efficiency savings flowing from the track improvements will make rail highly competitive with cars for the journey from Toowoomba to Brisbane.

"Extending regular passenger rail services to Toowoomba also opens up an opportunity for people from Ipswich and the western suburbs of Brisbane to take advantage of international air travel being developed from the Western Brisbane Airport at Wellcamp, on the outskirts of Toowoomba.

"Inland Rail will be a game-changer for SEQ. To capitalise on community and economic benefits that will flow, the state government should partner with the Toowoomba, Lockyer and Ipswich councils on a regional growth plan for the corridor and the towns along the route.

"The state government should tap into the $10 billion National Rail Program announced tonight, directed at linking regional centres to capital cities.

"It is imperative also that the state government coordinate a Toowoomba-Brisbane rail services upgrade with investment in a Springfield-Ripley Valley rail line extension, eventually linking to Ipswich, to allow for urban consolidation that will power Ipswich's future expansion. Housing affordability is not just about bricks and mortar, but also how people connect with each other and with the wider community.

"Rather than crying over the lack of funding for key projects, Queensland needs to switch focus to capitalising on the best way to draw down the available funds the federal government has provided tonight, including the bring-forward of the Sunshine Coast Line duplication.

"Work on the $780 million duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line over 20km between Beerburrum and Landsborough North should proceed as quickly as possible, to be followed by a substantial upgrade of the remainder of the track, approximately 19km, to Nambour.

"While the 2017-18 Federal Budget does not deliver on all items in the Queensland infrastructure wish list, the test will be how agile the state government can be to maximise the benefits for this state based upon the program objectives and substantial regional rail funding on offer," Mr Dow said.

Contact:

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

References:

1.  Budget 2017-18
http://www.budget.gov.au/

2.  Infrastructure Priority List 2017 - Project and Initiative summaries
http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/Infrastructure-Priority-List.aspx

[ozbob]

Latest: ' Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow! '
> https://t.co/zRp2AwL10G#qldpol@AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad @TimNichollsMP pic.twitter.com/rxdvNoaWyE

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 10, 2017

[ozbob]

 



Oh dear .. the Premier thinks ' high priority initiative ' is top of the pile ... 

[Stillwater]

If as the Premier says we need to go 'back to the start' on Cross River Rail', there would be no impediment to the government releasing its CRR Business Case, and telling us which version of CRR it applies to, because she seems to be saying that the $5.4 million 'CRR Lite' now won't be proceeding after eight years of governments tinkering with this project.  A definitive statement on CRR and 'where to from here for SEQ Rail' is needed from State Labor.

[BrizCommuter]

That $5.4b will only pay for the tunnel, adding a couple of more trains. To increase capacity to the peak direction levels shown on CRR website, will require funding for Cleveland Line duplication, additional tracks between Holmview and Kuraby, turn-back facilities at Salisbury, turn-back upgrades at Kippa-Ring, ETCS, more trains, and more train crew.  That'll cost a bit more!

[BrizCommuter]

Inland Rail vs Cross River Rail - The Irony
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/inland-rail-vs-cross-river-rail-irony.html

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cross River Rail: State rethink on funding after Federal Budget

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has conceded her Government may have to go "back to the drawing board" to build the Cross River Rail just a month before the State Budget.

As Ms Palaszczuk was hounded by the Opposition to finally release the project's ­secret business case, she refused to be drawn on whether the $5.4 billion project – hoped to begin this year – would now be delayed following the Turnbull Government's funding snub.

But Treasurer Curtis Pitt hinted he would consider ­increasing the state's $800 million commitment to the city's second rail crossing as the state rethinks financing options.

"I think those matters need to be canvassed closer to our Budget," he said.

"If there's no federal money we will have to look at the funding options."

The business case – which the Government has refused to release – contains a number of options to help fund the project with private money.

Known as value capture, options used in other international infrastructure projects include making money from retail space above stations, levying nearby businesses that benefit from new stations or charging landowners a portion of the increase land value the project delivers for them.

Mr Pitt said the Federal Government had shown "clear disdain" towards Cross River Rail, as Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad said the southeast could not afford for the project not to happen.

"It has really made us think about how we're going to get this project up and, as the Premier said today, it might mean we go back to the drawing board," Ms Trad said.

"We're going to review where we're up to. This is still our number one infrastructure priority and we will assess our options."

Instead of guaranteeing cash, Treasurer Scott Morrison wants Queensland to seek funding from a new $10 billion National Rail Program that won't start paying out until 2019, as he raised questions over the project's business case.

Ms Trad said the document had been delivered to the Federal Government nearly a year ago and had handed money out for other projects without business cases.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the business case must now be released to prove the project stacked up financially.

"If they're business case is so strong all they simply need to do is release it to the public so everyone can see the merits of the case," he said.

Mr Nicholls said the Government had not done enough to secure funding.

The business case is not up to date, there have been changes.  And  the project is still being reworked by the Coordinator General ( Cross River Rail project – application for proposed change to the project – Extension to public consultation period  ).

Not surprising then that CRR is still only a ' high priority initiative ' 3rd tier.  Premier this is not ready for funding from the Federal perspective.

It is mind blowing that the incompetents still cannot grasp that no body is going to fund it until all the documentation etc. is complete.

The newly elected Palaszczuk Government wasted precious time before they got things going.  No wonder it has missed the 2017/18 budget bus.

Morons!

[ozbob]

Inland Rail vs Cross River Rail - The Irony
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/inland-rail-vs-cross-river-rail-irony.html

Thanks.  Have pushed out to all outlets as well.

I fear both Inland Rail and Cross River Rail will be many many years away if ever ...

BrizCommuter:
Inland Rail vs Cross River Rail - The Irony
> https://t.co/xTBO9AibP3@SEQMayors @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @TMRQld pic.twitter.com/ifctW1CuL6

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 10, 2017

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_10_DAILY.pdf

10th May 2017

Ministerial Statements

Federal Budget, Cross River Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (2.19 pm): Cross River Rail remains this government's highest priority
infrastructure project, presenting a unique opportunity to transform South-East Queensland. On
Monday, the board of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority formally met for the first time. The board
members have the right mix of skills, experience and industry acumen to bring the project to life.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: One moment, Deputy Premier. Member for Chatsworth, you are warned under
standing order 253A. I find your comments are designed to disrupt the speaker. If you persist, I will take
the appropriate action.

Ms TRAD: The board includes the directors-general of the four key agencies of Transport and
Main Roads; Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning; the Premier and Cabinet; and
Queensland's Under Treasurer. Four independent experts and a senior federal government
representative round out the board with the skills and determination to deliver Cross River Rail for
Queensland.

This project is essential for the future of South-East Queensland and will create thousands of
jobs and reduce congestion on some of our busiest roads. The comprehensive business case
presented to the federal government on 26 June last year shows that Cross River Rail is a vital piece
of nation-building infrastructure that will benefit our state's fastest growing region and, in fact, our whole
economy. It is a good investment with a strong and positive benefit-cost ratio. That is why the
Palaszczuk government has already committed $850 million to kickstart the project, which is more than
any other government before.

However, last night's federal budget, which was an opportunity for Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison
to give real support to this once-in-a-generation city-shaping project, monumentally failed to deliver.
Despite all of the hype about a $10 billion rail package, the reality is that under the Turnbull government
there will be no contribution for Cross River Rail for at least another two years and even then there is
no guarantee. Instead, the federal government announced an equity injection of $8.4 billion to the
Australian Rail Track Corporation to commence construction on the inland rail project from Melbourne
to Brisbane. Also announced was the intention for the ARTC to enter into a public-private partnership
for the Gowrie to Kagaru section, the most complex element of the project.

Whilst the Queensland government has been supportive of the development of inland rail, it is
important to place this announcement in context for Queenslanders. Our No. 1 priority remains Cross
River Rail. It is ready to be built now. In contrast, the construction of the inland rail in Queensland is a
long way from commencing. Queensland is likely to be the last jurisdiction to benefit from the inland
rail, because the Queensland section of the project is the most complex and difficult, due to the amount
of greenfield construction and complex engineering associated with the route over the Great Dividing
Range.

In a letter to me yesterday, the federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester,
made it clear that a large number of issues still needed to be settled and agreed before the inland rail
could progress, including the final alignment, consent to construct new railways, land tenure and leases
for ARTC operated rail and land acquisition. The inland rail business case refers to a 10-year program
schedule, covering project development and construction. On this basis and in light of the large number
of outstanding issues still to be resolved, it is reasonably expected that planning, design and
construction of the project will take many years, if not a decade. Queensland should not have to wait
that long for the federal government to invest in vital infrastructure for our state

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_10_DAILY.pdf

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr SPEAKER: Question time will finish at 4.03 pm.

Federal Budget, Cross River Rail

Mr NICHOLLS (3.03 pm): My first question is to the Premier. I refer to independent economist
Gene Tunny's comments about Cross River Rail. He said, 'Great maps and brochures, but weak
business case.' If the Cross River Rail business case stacks up, why will the Premier not release it?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because I am more
than happy to speak about Cross River Rail in this House any day. Let me get a few things on the
record. The first thing is that the federal government have the business case and they have had it since
June last year. I was surprised, like many other people, to hear Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister,
say just before the budget was handed down, 'We don't have the full complete business case.' After
hearing that, I said to my director-general, 'Please ring your counterpart and check that they have
everything they need.' Yes, it came back to us from the department that they have everything they need
to assess Cross River Rail. Their own Prime Minister did not know that the full business case had been
submitted for this infrastructure project.

While I am on my feet talking about the federal budget, let me make it very clear that we needed
to see some dollars attached to the Cross River Rail in last night's budget, but what did we see?
Nothing. Zero. Absolutely zero. This shows very clearly that those opposite do not even want to
acknowledge that Cross River Rail is the No. 1 infrastructure project for this state and the No. 1
infrastructure project for Australia. Over 3,000 jobs could be generated as a start and there would also
be flow-on jobs from it. This is going to transform the city in which we live here in the south-east. It will
mean faster commuting times. It will also mean development opportunities around those stations which
will bring with it added investment and added jobs.

To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. On this side of the House, we stand up for
Queensland because we are Queenslanders. I do not know what they do on that side of the fence.
They are asleep. We do not hear a word from them. It is about time they grew a backbone and started
standing up for this state because we see nothing from them. On this side, we work for Queensland.
On that side, they just whinge and whine.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, Premier.

Ms PALASZCZUK: They are a bunch of whingers.

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, I think you are debating the question and that is not on. I think you have
answered the question.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Mr Speaker, let me make it very clear: the federal government have
everything they need. As the Deputy Premier said, they are funding money in Perth without a business
case. This is the contradiction of it. We will continue to fight for this state, unlike those opposite, and we
will stand up for Queensland and get our fair share.

Mr SPEAKER: Can I just indicate that for questions in relation to the federal budget I will allow
a reasonable degree of latitude. I heard the member for Burleigh say that the answer was not relevant.
I will not be requiring a very narrow interpretation, but I do not want members to be arguing or debating
the point.

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

Federal Budget, Cross River Rail

Mr NICHOLLS: My second question without notice is to the Premier. I refer again to independent
economist Gene Tunny's statement that the Cross River Rail business case is 'weak'. Given that
$10 billion is waiting, and given the Premier's government refuses to release the Cross River Rail
business case, what more than the six secret taxes is it hiding?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question, and let me continue.
Yes, we heard the federal government announce $10 billion last night. It is $10 billion over 10 years for
about six or seven projects across Australia, which is barely anything. From memory, Treasurer,
$600 million would be made available—

Mr Pitt: Yes, in two years in the forward estimates.

Ms PALASZCZUK:—in two years in the forward estimates for all of those projects across the
nation to fight for. That is simply and utterly unfair. My question to those opposite today is this: why
won't they back this project? Why won't they back Queensland's No. 1 infrastructure project?

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, I do not want you debating it. Please do not debate it.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I said very clearly that the business case has been forwarded to Canberra—
unlike those opposite. Do members remember the BaT tunnel? When those opposite were in
government, was there a business case for the BaT tunnel? No. When they had the idea of building
1 William Street for themselves, was there a business case? There was no business case.
Ms Trad: Was there consultation with Queensland?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I take that interjection. There was no consultation at all. It is very
disappointing. On this side of the House we will stand up for Queensland. We will fight for Queensland.
We will work for Queensland. It has gone to Canberra.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_10_DAILY.pdf

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Cross River Rail

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: My question without notice is to the Premier. I refer to independent
economist Gene Tunny's statement that Labor's refusal to release—

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Thank you, members. We have an understanding that the
member must be able to ask their question in silence. Will you repeat the question, please?

Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I will. My question without notice is to the Premier. I refer to independent
economist Gene Tunny's statement that Labor's refusal to release the Cross River Rail business case
is actually against the best interests of the government itself and the wider community. I ask the Premier:
the access to federal funding for Cross River Rail is dependent on the business case that stacks up, so
why has it not been released for public scrutiny?

Ms PALASZCZUK: As I said—and this question is very repetitive—I am quite happy to keep
talking about Cross River Rail. I am more than happy to talk about it because we were robbed last night;
Queensland was robbed. We failed to get our fair share from the federal government. What did those
opposite do? What did the LNP do? Nothing, fail! We have forwarded the business case to the federal
government. We have contacted them. They have everything they need to assess it, but unfortunately—

Mr Nicholls: Why won't you release it? If it is so good, release it.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Oh my goodness. Pick up the phone and whinge to Malcolm Turnbull; do
not whinge to me. Pick up the phone and whinge to Malcolm Turnbull. Oh my goodness!

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, Premier.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Honestly! No wonder Lawrence looked very happy when he was here before.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you. I think the Premier has answered the question. We will move on.

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

Cross River Rail

Mr EMERSON: My question is to the Premier. How can the Premier claim that Cross River Rail
is shovel-ready when the state government's own Coordinator-General has not provided final approval
for the project?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I have answered this question before. Let me make it very clear: we put our
commitment on the table. We allocated $850 million in our last budget and we do not have any matching
funds from the federal government. That is a disgrace. It is shameful to think that the federal government
is turning its back on the No. 1 infrastructure project in this state. We will continue to fight for this
because it means jobs for Queenslanders. There is nothing to—

Mr EMERSON: I rise to a point of order. The question was clearly about the
Coordinator-General's approval or lack thereof. It has not been approved; that is what the question was
about. The Premier is not addressing that question.

Mr SPEAKER: I call the Premier. Do you have anything further you would like to add?

Ms PALASZCZUK: It is still shovel-ready. It is ready to go. It is ready for the jobs they will create.
They are turning their back on jobs.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Pause the clock. Whilst the members may not like the answer the Premier is
providing, I am not going to have an argument. I call the Premier.

Ms PALASZCZUK: It is very clear that they are against job-creating projects in this state.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, Premier. I do not want a debate with the opposition.

Opposition members interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: What is their alternative to Cross River Rail? They had absolutely nothing.
In fact, the member opposite is the transport minister who stood there with his former premier and
announced a BaT tunnel—

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, Premier; I think you have answered the question. I call the member
for Capalaba.

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

European Train Control System 2

Mr POWELL: My question without notice is to the Premier. Rail advocate Robert Dow said last
night, 'The state government's position is that all other rail projects are on hold until Cross River Rail,
its No. 1 priority, is funded by the federal government. Tonight we call on the state government to
abandon this position as it is not correct or logical,' and he called on the government to immediately
implement the European Train Control System 2 or better. Can the Premier guarantee to the House
that the European Train Control System 2 will be delivered on time and on budget, given Labor's history
of rail fails?

Ms PALASZCZUK: My understanding is that the European Train Control System is on track.

An opposition member: On track?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Yes. It is currently meeting the time frames that it needs to meet. You raised
a number of issues and you raised Cross River Rail again. Let me make it clear that Cross River Rail
is not just Queensland's No. 1 infrastructure project: it is Australia's No. 1 infrastructure project. In fact,
Infrastructure Australia released the Australian Infrastructure Plan and the updated Infrastructure
Priority List on 17 February 2016, and the Cross River Rail project was listed as a high priority initiative.
There you have it; the facts are clear. Our No. 1 is Infrastructure Australia's No. 1.
Whilst I am on my feet, we have heard those opposite talk about Gene Tunny. Gene Tunny also
had something to say about the BaT tunnel, and I think the member for Indooroopilly might be interested
in this. He said—

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Bus and Train (BaT) Tunnel from Dutton Park to Spring Hill is out for comment,
and I'm rather unimpressed by the benefit-cost ratio, estimated by Deloitte at 1.16. That is, benefits are estimated to be only 16%
higher than costs over the life of the project. That's pretty concerning for a $5 billion project that is likely to be subject to the same
risks of cost blow outs and demand shortfalls as other mega-projects.

There was no business case and he said that he was 'rather unimpressed'.

Ms Trad: What about 1 William Street!

Ms PALASZCZUK: We all know who thought of that one, don't we? I take the Deputy Premier's
interjection. It was the Leader of the Opposition who had the grand plan to sell off government buildings
in the CBD. There was a secret plan and a fire sale that lost us hundreds of millions in taxpayers'
money. They forgot about that and built their 1 William Street. Was there a business case? There was
no business case.

Mr SPEAKER: I think the Premier has answered the question.

Ms Trad: And your half-price trains from India!

Ms PALASZCZUK: I take the Deputy Premier's interjection. Then we had the NGR contract, and
how is that going? That was signed off by those opposite—

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, I think you have answered the question.

[Stillwater]

Just who is telling the porkies when it comes to whether Queensland has lodged with the federal government an appropriate business case for the latest design of the Cross River Rail project?  On the evidence it is the state government, which continues to play semantics with this issue.

The state insists it has lodged a business case for CRR over a year ago, and that is true.  However, that would appear to be in relation to a former CRR plan and not the current 'CRR Lite' $5.4b project, for which Canberra is seeking the details.

During his speech on Tuesday night, Mr Morrison said projects such as the Brisbane Metro and the Cross River Rail "have the potential to be supported through this program, subject to a proven business case".

The 'oh, well, we may just have to go back to the start' comment from Premier Palaszczuk and Minister Trad seems to be some resignation to the fact that an up-to-date business case needs to be ordered and completed for the latest design.

And we have the evidence from the State Co-ordinator General that the latest revised CRR project is still with his office.

Queensland's Labor government has this week been calling on the Turnbull government to "at least" match its commitment of $850 million to the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project in Tuesday's budget.  This suggests it wants a special grace and favour deal that does not require a revised business case.

These words represent bluff from Treasurer Curtis Pitt: "Even though they have had our Cross River Rail business case for nearly a year, it seems the Turnbull Government is incapable of making a decision.
"Yet again other states get direct funding injections but Queensland has to jump through hoops."

Queensland sees the business case process as not to be taken seriously, just a bit of a paper shuffle.
Queensland wants to bypass the business case process to get 'direct funding' for CRR.

The premier continued the bluff in the Parliament:

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because I am more
than happy to speak about Cross River Rail in this House any day. Let me get a few things on the record. The first thing is that the federal government have the business case and they have had it since June last year. I was surprised, like many other people, to hear Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister, say just before the budget was handed down, 'We don't have the full complete business case.' After hearing that, I said to my director-general, 'Please ring your counterpart and check that they have everything they need.' Yes, it came back to us from the department that they have everything they need to assess Cross River Rail. Their own Prime Minister did not know that the full business case had been submitted for this infrastructure project.

Yes Premier, but the business case for what version of CRR – the $8b version or the revised $5.4b version still being assessed by the Coordinator-General?

The Premier again: "They (the feds) are funding money in Perth without a business
case."  There it is again, Queensland has an old business case it has put to Canberra, but has re-jigged the scope and funding, but does not want to show that, causing some economists to suggest the business case for the latest version is 'weak'.

Is it the weakness of the business case for CRR Lite that the Premier and her Treasurer wish to hide?

The feds are not blameless here either.

By saying they do not have an up-to-date business case and denying CRR funds to get one, are they forcing State Labor to dredge up additional money through a 'betterment tax' or some other 'value capture' means that the LNP at the state level could then label as a 'secret tax' or a 'detrimental slug'?  You can hear the rhetoric now -- Labor is a 'big tax' government.

It falls into place then.  If Labor reveals in an updated business case to Canberra that it is planning some additional revenue measure to fund CRR Lite, we can assume that the federal minister would slip a copy of the revised business case to the LNP and the LNP would embarrass the state government by tabling it in the Queensland Parliament.

By the same token, Queensland Labor has the option to announce in its State Budget a new tax of some sort to fund CRR and call it the 'Malcolm Tax' -- the tax we had to have because of a ham-fisted federal government.

The shadow boxing and tactics of CRR means this project is compromised to the point where a project is stalled in a war of political words and manoeuvring.

[Stillwater]

Has the State Government stopped sending out those silly, useless tweets asking 'how will your life change if CRR is built'.?

[ozbob]

Has the State Government stopped sending out those silly, useless tweets asking 'how will your life change if CRR is built'.?

Have not seen any the last day or so ..

My life will change when I go to Melbourne late June and enjoy 10 minute trains once more.

Additionally my life will change when I go to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne next January.

Fancy having a worse PT setup than Adelaide ... 

[Gazza]

I dunno how we would be worse than Adelaide though?

Their stations are dumps, their electrification ambitions are now 5  years late, their high frequency go zone routes wind up at 6:30 pm and fewer ststions recieve high frequency service than in Bris.

[ozbob]

I like Adelaide.  Getting better all the time.

It really was a cryptic comment wrt to the Easter shambles ...

[ozbob]

Anyone know who the Council representative is for the CRR Delivery Authority?

I have heard BCC has not been forthcoming. 

[MaxHeadway]

I dunno how we would be worse than Adelaide though? Their stations are dumps, their electrification ambitions are now 5  years late, their high frequency go zone routes wind up at 6:30 pm and fewer ststions recieve high frequency service than in Bris.

However, there are decent Sunday operating hours over most of the bus system (not just areas that seem to have been selected by throwing darts at a map), and fares are much cheaper.
(As an aside, Adelaide has quality-of-life advantages in other ways, such as the Mediterranean climate and cheaper housing!)

[ozbob]

Anyone know who the Council representative is for the CRR Delivery Authority?

I have heard BCC has not been forthcoming.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-cross-river-rail-delivery-authority-sparks-furore-between-council-and-state-20161031-gseltx.html


" ... Ms Trad said the government was committed to partnership with the federal government and council to deliver Cross River Rail.

"Each level of government will have a seat at the table on the delivery authority," Ms Trad said. ... "

[mufreight]

What is needed to kickstart Cross River Rail is for the Queensland government to bite the bullet and actually commence construction.  Last year the government said that they had $880 million set aside for this project, if the Queensland Government is genuine it can spend that money on actual construction rather than more glossy brochures and seat warmers to create them.
If an actual start is made prior to the federal election the position of the Turnbull circus becomes untenable and the electoral pressure to provide funds intensifies, of course if the Queensland Government does nothing prior to the Queensland election the electorate will view that failure poorly and added to the other failures for rail in Queensland will have undoubted effect at the ballot box.
Time for Anna and Jackie to put up or shut up. 

[Gazza]

At the very least there are works they could be doing now, such as the realignment and trench through Mayne, and the construction of the third platforms and station upgrades between Dutton Park and Salisbury.

[Stillwater]

^Well said Mufreight.   

[James]

I dunno how we would be worse than Adelaide though?

Their stations are dumps, their electrification ambitions are now 5  years late, their high frequency go zone routes wind up at 6:30 pm and fewer ststions recieve high frequency service than in Bris.

At least Adelaide isn't going backwards like Brisbane. Quite frankly, it's an embarrassment. For its size, Adelaide is doing very well. Brisbane, however, is choking pretty badly. Sydney and Melbourne both have their tunnels. Perth had a big investment with the Mandurah line recently. All three cities are attempting progressive network reform. Brisbane??? What CRR? What network reform?

The brain drain is going to be enormous if the state doesn't start a major construction project soon. Qualified people - construction workers, engineers of all kinds etc. are flocking to Sydney & Melbourne in droves because it is the only place where they can get work. Brisbane? Unless you're filling potholes or building apartments, time to give up!

CRR needs to commence now, or else SEQ will suffer in many facets. Once the other cities are selected by businesses to set up bases, they are not going to look at Brisbane in 5-10 years time...

[STB]

I dunno how we would be worse than Adelaide though? Their stations are dumps, their electrification ambitions are now 5  years late, their high frequency go zone routes wind up at 6:30 pm and fewer ststions recieve high frequency service than in Bris.

However, there are decent Sunday operating hours over most of the bus system (not just areas that seem to have been selected by throwing darts at a map), and fares are much cheaper.
(As an aside, Adelaide has quality-of-life advantages in other ways, such as the Mediterranean climate and cheaper housing!)

From what I've heard though from many others is the unemployment rate is quite high in Adelaide, apparently it's not the place to go to if you want work.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: PM's excuses about not funding Cross River Rail in Federal Budget 2017 don't add up

THIS week, Malcolm Turnbull proved what Queenslanders have known all along – he governs for Sydney, not for the country.

While Sydney is getting billions of dollars for rail, a new airport and housing, Queensland will only receive a paltry number of recycled projects in this Federal Budget.

For all his talk about nation-building and infrastructure, the Federal Government has failed to deliver the funds for projects that Queensland desperately needs.

No project demonstrates his failure more clearly than Cross River Rail.

Cross River Rail is the Palaszczuk Government's number one infrastructure priority for a reason. It is critical to unlocking capacity in the rail network, not just for Brisbane but for the entire southeast corner.

Almost forty years ago, the only inner-city rail link between our city's north and south, the Merivale Bridge, was opened.

Since then, our population has been growing rapidly and we are going to reach capacity on our rail network by 2021.

Cross River Rail is the solution to this problem.

It will shape our city for generations to come, getting people home faster, removing the bottleneck through the city and delivering tens of thousands of jobs.

With this Budget, Malcolm Turnbull had the opportunity to prove that he really is the infrastructure Prime Minister. Cross River Rail demonstrates his failure to deliver on this ambition.

The excuses being offered by Malcolm Turnbull about why Cross River Rail has not been funded do not hold up to even minor scrutiny.

This week we have seen the Prime Minister and his ministers lining up to say that the project needs a proven business case.

But the Turnbull Government and Infrastructure Australia both received the rigorous business case nearly a year ago.

That business case included 2000 pages of detailed planning and an independent review by industry experts from Jacobs, KPMG and PwC.

It clearly demonstrates a positive benefit-cost ratio and a clear path to delivering the project.

The fact is that they have been sitting on that business case since June last year.

We have reached out numerous times – both on a departmental and ministerial level – to ask if they needed additional information in the lead up to the Budget and were assured they needed nothing further.

But at the same time that they were holding up Cross River Rail funding on unfounded claims about its business case, they were providing nearly $800 million for the Metronet rail project in Perth – a project that has no business case at all.

Cross River Rail has been relegated by the Turnbull Government to compete for funds from an over-hyped $10 billion national rail fund.

This might sound like a funding solution but it is really just another delaying tactic.

Of this $10 billion fund only $600 million is even included in the forward estimates, with no money to be allocated until 2019-20 at the earliest.

Queenslanders should not have to wait another two years for the Federal Government to invest in the infrastructure we desperately need.

For all his smooth talk and big ideas Malcolm Turnbull's Budget delivers the lowest infrastructure spend in 10 years.

Analysis by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia showed that the Budget massively cuts infrastructure investment, with $7.4 billion slashed over the forward estimates and funding as a percentage of general government expenditure falling significantly from 1.55 per cent to just 1.19 per cent.

Queensland needs federal infrastructure investment and the state's southeast needs Cross River Rail.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the Cross River Rail project because we know it means jobs and economic growth from which the entire state will benefit.

Queensland has been badly let down by a Federal Government more interested in politics than people. Queensland deserves better than what Malcolm Turnbull is offering.

Jackie Trad is the Deputy Premier of Queensland

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th May 2017

Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow!

Good Morning,

Deputy Premier Trad and Minister for Transport has outlined how politics is affecting Cross River Rail, yet again.

[ Couriermail --> Opinion: PM's excuses about not funding Cross River Rail in Federal Budget 2017 don't add up ]

Leading into the 2017-18 Federal Budget we did warn that it was not looking promising for funding due to the ranking of CRR at Infrastructure Australia (3rd tier, only a high priority initiative) and the fact variations to CRR and the impact of the revised ' Brisbane Metro ' had not been included in the previously submitted business case - well at least no public confirmation of this.  This gave the Coalition Federal Government an out.  Queensland is not the only state shafted, South Australia and Victoria too have been poorly dealt with.

In our view the Queensland Government should commence early works for Cross River Rail.  The project is sound and it will eventually  achieve some Federal funding either from the Coalition Federal Government or a Labor Federal Government in time.

If the Queensland Government is genuine it can spend the money already budgeted on actual construction rather than more glossy brochures and 'seat warmers' to create them.

If an actual start is made prior to the federal election the position of the Turnbull Federal Government circus becomes untenable, and the electoral pressure to provide funds intensifies, of course if the Queensland Government does nothing prior to the Queensland election the electorate will view that failure poorly and added to the other failures for rail in Queensland will have an undoubted effect at the ballot box.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1.  Budget 2017-18
http://www.budget.gov.au/

2.  Infrastructure Priority List 2017 - Project and Initiative summaries
http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/Infrastructure-Priority-List.aspx

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg192315#msg192315 ]

[ozbob]

Latest: ' Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow! '
> https://t.co/Zhvk3LdX5W#qldpol #auspol #springst #saparli@jackietrad pic.twitter.com/2yZZr8sdcV

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 12, 2017

.@jackietrad @TurnbullMalcolm @LNPQLD @QLDLabor @brisbanetimes @Curtis_Pitt_MP @AnnastaciaMP @TMRQld @CrossRiverRail @JoAnnMillerMP We can see through the infrastructure con Mal.
Not looking too bright for you now cobber #justsaying#qldpol #auspol #springst #saparli

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 12, 2017