Cross River Rail Project

[Stillwater]

Just when everything between the Commonwealth and the state government re CRR seemed to have been pulled back into a workable arrangement to sort through outstanding issues, Jackie Trad sinks the boot in again and plays the political card. 

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queenslanders-told-to-pay-more-taxes-to-fund-cross-river-rail/news-story/e01e0b2627d345cbb7375f6d0cbfe75e

Given her proclivity to be a politically destructive force, they should name Queensland's next cyclone Jackie.

FROM C-M STORY:

"Revealing Mr Turnbull's problem with the state's plans was that businesses and homeowners won't pay enough towards the $5.2 billion project, Ms Trad said it was "inexcusable" that NSW and WA projects were funded in last week's federal Budget without the same requirements.

"It's understood the Commonwealth wants details of how much the state can raise in new taxes from homes and businesses in the rail corridor that benefit from the project under value capture.

"They also want patronage numbers and more detail on how it will connect with current public transport and the planned Brisbane Metro."

Do they?  With these comments, Ms Trad seems to be contradicting her arguments that a 'complete business case' had been sent to IA 12 months ago.  Wouldn't a 'complete' business case have canvassed these issues from the outset without those omissions being sought now?

Ms Trad should just leave it alone and get on with this.  Is she seriously suggesting that a potential investor in this project (the federal government), and the private sector investors for that matter, should not be informed of the likely patronage and projected ticket revenue?  And while she raves on endlessly about transport connectivity, and the government does too, she doesn't want to demonstrate how CRR connects with Brisbane Metro and the current transport network?   

As much as Queensland Labor wants to avoid the issue, 'value capture' in some form will have to be in the funding mix for all new major infrastructure projects in and around Brisbane.  Politically it makes sense too.  CRR will transform some precincts along the route, forcing up land values.  The LNP-led BCC will 'capture value' through increased rates revenue from those redeveloped precincts. And the state doesn't want a slice of that?

Katter and One Nation parties would have no qualms about value being extracted from city residents in SEQ for projects that benefit SEQ and not the Bush.  That must help state Labor in the long run when deals are done about infrastructure up North and out West.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queenslanders told to pay more taxes to fund Cross River Rail

QUEENSLAND'S most important infrastructure project is in limbo weeks out from the state Budget as the Commonwealth demands residents pay higher taxes to build Cross River Rail.

Political infighting that resulted in Malcolm Turnbull and Annastacia Palaszczuk meeting to thrash out issues yesterday, intensified last night as Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad accused the Prime Minister of unfair double standards.

Revealing Mr Turnbull's problem with the state's plans was that businesses and homeowners won't pay enough towards the $5.2 billion project, Ms Trad said it was "inexcusable" that NSW and WA projects were funded in last week's federal Budget without the same requirements.

It's understood the Commonwealth wants details of how much the state can raise in new taxes from homes and businesses in the rail corridor that benefit from the project under value capture.

They also want patronage numbers and more detail on how it will connect with current public transport and the planned Brisbane Metro.

But Ms Trad said Queenslanders should not be forced to pay more than residents in other states for necessary infrastructure.

"Their focus has always been on the financing of the project and in particular how to maximise value capture," Ms Trad said, ahead of a ministerial council meeting of the country's infrastructure ministers in Brisbane today.

"Their plans would mean higher taxes for Queenslanders. We have said we would look at value capture and we did. But we don't want unfair taxes imposed on Queensland that no other state has to pay."

The revelation came as the Premier emerged from her meeting with the PM to concede there were issues with the business case while refusing to detail them.

Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson seized on the comments to call for the "flawed business case" to be released.

But Treasurer Curtis Pitt denied the state had botched the process.

"I understand that there has been suggestions today that there's additional information that may be required," he said. "We've had that offer on the table since we handed the business case to Infrastructure Australia nearly 12 months ago."

Mr Pitt said the state had always been ready to provide additional details.

"To have that come up today is a bit of a revelation," he said.

Ms Palaszczuk later released a statement insisting the "completed", 2000-page document had been with Infrastructure Australia (IA) since June last year. Mr Turnbull said discussions would continue as he again referred to the business case as a "proposal" that was "inadequate in a number of respects".

"This is Infrastructure Australia's view and they want to know more about its integration with other transport systems and networks in southeast Queensland, about land use opportunities, generally the development aspects of it," he said. "It needs more work. I am not making a criticism of it, I am just stating a fact."

But Ms Trad said the business case was comprehensive and IA was only seeking additional information on "small technical issues".

A leaked copy of the business case last year had revealed up to $7 billion would be raised from "value capture" proposals.

They included $1.2 billion for a car park levy and $1 billion in increased land tax on property owners near Cross River Rail's proposed stations.

There is also a proposal to collect up to $2.6 billion through a public transport infrastructure levy on property owners and a $1 billion surcharge on ticket prices.

A plan to raise up to $1.23 billion from a motor vehicle registration levy has been ruled out. The Courier-Mail understands two of the state's top directors-general, Dave Stewart and Frankie Carroll, took part in a phone hook-up with IA officials yesterday afternoon to discuss any outstanding issues

MALCOLM Turnbull and Annastacia Palaszczuk had the perfect opportunity to show voters that some things are above politics when they emerged from their 60-­minute meeting in Brisbane yesterday.

They should have come to an agreement on a project everybody seems to believe the state needs, a project that has been almost a decade in the making, a project that ­continues to grow in cost every year it remains on the wish list.

But instead of leadership and a shared commitment on delivering the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail, all voters got yesterday was more petty bickering as the political bunfight over the state's most critical piece of infrastructure continued.

The state says its business case is complete.

The Commonwealth says it is inadequate.

Yet future funding has been committed to other projects in other states where business cases are yet to be done.

Southeast Queensland commuters preparing to board packed trains today as they make their way to work couldn't care less.

They just want it built. It really is as plain and simple as that.

The time has come for both levels of government to do just that.

With the Commonwealth clearly refusing to budge, the spotlight now falls on the Queensland Government to set aside enough cash in its looming budget to at least get this vital project started.

[ozbob]

It is interesting that Ms Palaszczuk said she would be talking to Jackie Trad, indicating that this matter has escalated to a Premier-PM level, beyond the SHOW US THE MONEY antics of Ms Trad, media conferences on the Kangaroo point cliffs, tweets and other stunts.  The fundamental issue has always been the adequacy of the business case.

In addition, it is the Premiers Department Director-General Dave Stewart who will be doing the talking on behalf of Queensland with Infrastructure Australia and not the TMR Director-General Neil Scales.  That's progress.  Given his background in the UK, Neil Scales must be picking up fast on the relative responsibilities of Commonwealth-States in Australia, the cross-overs of responsibility, the interplay, the political intrigue and the cocktail mix of funding surrounding a major infrastructure project  such as CRR from all levels of government with competing political objectives and different corporate priorities.

I think mobilising Mr Stewart is a good move.

Since Mr Scales arrived we have not really had much real progress, apart from the new fare structure and lots of roads.
Lots of failure though.

TMR is really a roads mob.  Time we move forward with Public Transport Queensland - the appropriate authority. CRR should sit beneath that,  Presently we have CRR with an authority, with TransLink a collection of desks at TMR dominated by roads obsessed masses.  No wonder it is all a balls-up.

[ozbob]

CM sums it up well.

Part of the front page of the Couriermail 19th May 2017 page 1

[Stillwater]

Jackie Trad should have her image included, and her own headline:  PUFF AND STUFF

She thinks she can, she things she can, she thinks she can.  Too much thinking, not enough action.

Agree with comments re TMR.  Someone there is probably working out how to fit rubber wheels to trains.  There is sufficient evidence to show that the structure, silos, unclear lines of responsibility, duplication of effort etc is not working.  The public knows this.  A political party that proposes restructure and Public Transport Queensland would get votes.

The "Main Roads" component of TMR (planning, building, maintaining roads), once PTQ is formed, should swap over to become part of the Department of State Development.

[ozbob]

Mind boggling stuff ...

I really do grieve for the future of this state sadly ..

[#Metro]

I wanted to explore this idea that development contributions would pay for anything other than a minor slice of Cross River Rail.
Which is what Turnbull et al. are pushing.

We have the following stations:

Boggo Road/Park Road
Woolloongabba
CBD
Roma Street
Exhibition

How much money can we really extract from this for CRR?

Let's assume we put 500 apartments at every station location and sell every single one at $1,000,000 each with a profit margin of 20%.

Assume that all profits go straight to the government.

500 apartments x 5 stations x $1,000,000 x 0.2 = $500 million "Upper Limit"

The project costs around $5.6 billion, so the proportion is more like ($0.5B / $5.6B) x 100 = 8.9 % of total costs.

Now, in reality, this figure is very optimistic and a more realistic proportion is say around 1-2%.


I am all for TOD development because it increases patronage, allows people to exercise location choice and helps with housing

affordability. BUT if Trad, Palaszczuk and Turnbull think "private development" is going to pay any significant proportion of CRR's costs, I

think they are dreaming.

[verbatim9]

Opportunity for Retail, Office and other Commercial tenants. Not just apartments. Mixed Development will bring more return and activation of an area.

[tazzer9]

While private development over stations would only realistically contribute about 1-2% to the cost.  (the 8-9% above is best case scenario).  That still is $50-100 million, its not a small amount.   

[Stillwater]

Jackie Trad is having another go at Malcolm Turnbull on ABC radio today, again complaining that Queensland has to mount a case for federal funding for CRR.  Does she have a game plan or just a lot of political frustration to unleash?  The Premier should tell Ms Trad to pull her head in and organise the preparation of the additional information that IA requires for the CRR Business Case.

The danger is that the PM will give up and the feds will announce substantial Commonwealth funding for the Brisbane Metro, once its Business Case is completed and submitted soon.  The inadequate CRR project will have been leapfrogged.  The Commonwealth would argue that it is contributing to the integrated CRR/Metro solution for Brisbane, just the bus bit.  Ms Trad risks being left at the station platform when the money train passes through.

[ozbob]

Sources suggest Ms. Trad has called a press conference.  Not sure what about but might be NGR and/or CRR.

Time will tell no doubt.

I agree Mr Stillwater.  Life is unfair at times, Turnbull et al are inconsistent however that does NOT excuse the fact the CRR business case was not kept up to date particularly with respect to the ' Brisbane Metro '.  The good thing about the bi-artic buses is that it is going to drive some network reform finally.   Easy to show integration with CRR.  The question has be to asked ' who failed yet again ? '. 
DGs are paid a lot of money for a reason ...

[ozbob]

 

Brisbanetimes --> PM's issues with Cross River Rail are a 'furphy'

Claims there are issues with the Cross River Rail business case have been dismissed as a "furphy" by Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad.

But Ms Trad would not be drawn on whether Infrastructure Australia had been "politicised" by the federal Coalition government.

It comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk emerged from a meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday to say Infrastructure Australia had identified a "couple of issues" with the business case.

Mr Turnbull said those issues were how it integrated with other transport networks in south-east Queensland, land use opportunities and development aspects.

Ms Trad said the Premier had said the government would go back and "have a look at what we can do" on Cross River Rail.

When asked whether the government would go back to Infrastructure Australia with a more detailed business plan, or abandon the process, Ms Trad said it was an "absolute furphy".

"Let's be clear, this is such a furphy," she said.

"Proposal after proposal from jurisdictions have been presented to Infrastructure Australia and the federal government.

"A 2000-plus page, $7 million business case that has been independently reviewed was submitted to Infrastructure Australia more than a year ago.

"There have been countless meetings between officials around details of the business case

"I have sat down personally with the responsible Commonwealth ministers to talk about all of the economic uplift, the productivity gains, and also the critical need to build Cross River Rail.

"When the business case was presented to Infrastructure Australia they were very admiring of the work that we had done.

"As far as I'm concerned there has been deep and very good engagement with Infrastructure Australia and the officials."

But Ms Trad did not answer whether she thought Infrastructure Australia was turned into a "partisan vehicle" in relation to the project.

"IA has had all the information that they've required, whatever additional information they have sought it has been provided promptly, we've had numerous conversations," she said.

"I want to know what the bottleneck is."

Fairfax Media asked Ms Trad if her comments meant she did not believe there were "a couple of issues" with the business case, as stated by Ms Palaszczuk on Thursday.

"I understand that the Prime Minister presented the Premier with a number of issues like value capture, now let's be clear, value capture is a mechanism to raise funds to support the project or fund the project based on user charges," she said.

"He wants Queensland to detail how we're going to tax Queenslanders to pay for Cross River Rail.

"We will continue to work with the federal government and Infrastructure Australia, but you know, we are expressing our very, very deep disappointment in the way the federal government has treated Queensland."

The fate of the $5.4 billion project in next month's Queensland budget is yet to be known, after it missed out on funding in the federal budget.

"We've always said that Cross River Rail, which is a nation-building infrastructure project, requires the federal government to put their hand in their pocket," Ms Trad said.

"You'll see what happens when the state budget gets delivered in only a matter of weeks."

Ms Trad said the federal government's reluctance to fund the project "delayed" the build timeline for Cross River Rail.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey accused Canberra of speaking with a "forked tongue" when it came to Queensland infrastructure.

On ABC Brisbane radio, Ms Trad accused Mr Turnbull of playing politics.

It came after Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson accused Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of playing politics with Cross River Rail.

"[It's] a massive admission now that finally she admits the business case is flawed, there are problems with the business case," Mr Emerson said on Thursday.

"Previously she's denied this. She's just played politics with Cross River Rail."

Ms Palaszczuk and Ms Trad have repeatedly insisted Cross River Rail was ready to go and the business case was with the federal government and awaiting a decision.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queenslanders told to pay more taxes to fund Cross River Rail

Update:

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is prepared to send officials to Canberra to meet face to face with Infrastructure Australia in a bid to sort through any issues with Cross River Rail.

But she slammed the Commonwealth for playing politics with the project and hinted she believed Infrastructure Australia was also being politicised.

"What we are seeing is more hurdles, more excuses being put in the way," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"They are continuing to play politics."

She said she had her officials get straight on the phone to IA after her meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to nut out any concerns.

"In the past they have said to us ... 'no there is nothing else that we need'," she said.

"Now all of a sudden there are hurdles being put up in front of us.

"I think they are making excuses.

"What we are seeing is just this lack of cooperation. If I have got to fly officials down to Canberra to sort this out next week I will."

Ms Palaszczuk said she believed the project needed a pledge of federal money to get started but the state was looking at its options.

Earlier today, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad accused Infrastructure Australia of becoming politicised over the Cross River Rail project.

"Infrastructure Australia back in 2012 said this was the number one infrastructure priority for the nation," she said.

"It seems to be that under Malcolm Turnbull and under Infrastructure Australia today they have a different view.

"I think they have come about that not on the technical evidence that has been supplied in the business case or the economic benefits detailed in the business case but for political reasons."

Ms Trad said it was "such a furphy" the Cross River Rail business case needed more work.

"A 2000-plus page, $7 million business case that has been independently reviewed was submitted to Infrastructure Australia more than a year ago," she said.

Ms Trad reiterated her call for federal funding to build Cross River Rail.

"We need this project to go ahead, we need the Feder Government to come on board and to participate in this nation building piece of infrastructure," she said.

Ms Trad said there appeared to be $7.4 billion reduction in Commonwealth infrastructure spending over the forward estimates.

"This has been independently compiled by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia," she said.

"What this means is the Commonwealth is spending less in every state and jurisdiction around critical infrastructure projects."

Meanwhile, the Property Council Queensland has backed the State Government's warning about poorly structured value-capture models essentially being a new tax on Queenslanders to pay for Cross River Rail.

"We welcome the Deputy Premier's comments today that some forms of value capture are just unfair taxes," Property Council executive director Chris Mountford said.

"A poorly designed 'value capture' framework could end up as a tax on growth and undo the economic good that the project supposed to bring to the city.

"It is important to remember that property owners already directly pay infrastructure charges, GST, stamp duty, land tax, local government rates, capital gains tax and a raft of state and local government fees when developing and owning property. Most of these taxes already increase when the value of a property increases."

[Stillwater]

Now the Premier says she 'might be forced to fly officials to Canberra next week for talks with IA to sort things out'.  That is the norm, it should have happened yonks ago and it is expected when we are talking mega bucks and a complex project.  Guess what?  Those other states with dibs on federal funding for their infrastructure projects send officials to Canberra all the time.  What's the Premier's problem?

- that there have to be talks?
- that the project she says is coordinated with Metro and everything else must be a point that can be demonstrated and can be shown to work?
- that the feds demand that the 'books be opened' so they can see the finances and revenue streams?  In the private sector, it is called 'due diligence'.

She labels public officials with a job to do and legislation to administer (otherwise known as 'the law') as 'being political' for asking difficult questions, including wanting to see passenger number projections and ticket revenue, and flow-on benefits etc.  They are testing the BCR assumptions, that's all.  Why is that 'political'?

If a billion dollars was being sought from HSCB or Macquarie Bank, a few officials would be expected to fly to Sydney to put the state's case and to prove the soundness of the project for which investment is sought.  Maybe Ms Trad has not heard of video-conferencing.

This is an attitudinal problem, wrong corporate thinking in the Qld Govt.  Canberra obviously sees this task of 'nation building' as a genuine partnership between governments, of ensuring that the maximum benefit is gained from the public investment.  The Queensland Government is just chasing a bit of free money.

Ms Trad and Ms Palaszczuk should get real, get serious, stop making a media circus of this (press conference a day?), take it behind closed doors and sort it out like adults.  The more this drags out, the more the Palaszczuk Government is seen to be incapable of doing the big stuff, as opposed to talking about it or revealing grand future plans that don't eventuate.

[#Metro]

"We welcome the Deputy Premier's comments today that some forms of value capture are just unfair taxes," Property Council executive director Chris Mountford said.

Ah, the Property Council.

It is true that any developer there would have to pay BCC council rates, which are in effect a land tax.

Then there is the state government land tax also.


A lot of this value capture rhetoric are ideas that have been pulled from the United States and Canada - but they have a different

taxation structure to what we do. One can't just do a cut-and-paste job on it.


The value is already captured in BCC rates and State Gov't land taxes. The lowest fuss way would be to get a contribution from

Brisbane City Council. Now if BCC wants to be difficult, exempt the land parcel from BCC rates and have the State Government

charge and equal fee is one option. There may be other options.

[ozbob]

LNP Statement

http://www.betterqueensland.org.au/labor_s_hypocrisy_over_cross_river_rail_knows_no_bounds
Labor's hypocrisy over Cross River Rail knows no bounds

Labor's hypocrisy over Cross River Rail knows no bounds

    How can Queenslanders trust the Premier and Deputy Premier when they continue to hide the Cross River Rail business case from public scrutiny
    Jackie Trad tries to rewrite history on ABC Radio over her plan to slug Queenslanders with six secret taxes to fund her shiny new tunnel
    Labor has no real plan to deliver this project, the business case is an utter mess, the six secret taxes to fund the project have been exposed and deadlines have been missed

The Palaszczuk Labor Government is trying to rewrite history after being caught out on their sneaky plan to slug Queenslanders with higher taxes and charges to fund Cross River Rail.

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said Deputy Premier Jackie Trad should have a long hard look in the mirror if she wanted to blame someone for the Cross River Rail debacle.

She said the Deputy Premier's claim on ABC Radio this morning that the Federal Government wanted to slug Queenslanders with higher taxes was rank hypocrisy.

"It was Labor's secret business case that revealed Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad's plan to slug Queenslanders with six new taxes to fund their pipe dream," Ms Frecklington said.

"They are now in damage control because it has come to light that the business case doesn't stack up and both are looking to blame someone else for their own incompetence and failings.

"The Premier and Deputy Premier have gone to great lengths to conceal their six secret taxes plan but the cat is well and truly out of the bag now.

"Jackie Trad needs take responsibility for what is contained in the business case that she submitted to Infrastructure Australia instead of trying to blame the Prime Minister.

"Infrastructure Australia took the extraordinary step today of issuing a statement confirming there were a number of outstanding concerns surrounding the Cross River Rail business case."

Ms Frecklington said Labor had bungled the Cross River Rail project from the beginning and now their incompetence had been laid bare for all Queenslanders to see.

"Labor has no real plan to deliver this project, the business case is an utter mess, the six secret taxes to fund the project have been exposed and deadlines have been missed," she said.

"The LNP opposed Labor setting up the Delivery Authority which has virtually unfettered taxation powers designed to implement their secret taxes agenda.

"Jackie Trad has had more than two years to get her pet project off the ground but she has failed dismally at every hurdle."

Ms Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk embarrassingly had to concede this week the business case for Cross River Rail was flawed.

"Annastacia Palszczuk said in 2013 that this project was shovel ready," she said.

"We now know that was a big fat furphy.

"Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad's total lack of openness and transparency on Cross River Rail has been exposed.

"If they maintain they have got nothing to hide, just release the secret business case so Queenslanders can make up their own minds.

"How can Queenslanders trust the Premier or Deputy Premier when they continue to hide the business case from public scrutiny?"

Labor's hidden business case includes the following new taxes to fund Cross River Rail:

    Congestion tax paid for by motorists = $1.2 billion
    Motor vehicle registration levy paid for by motorists = $1.22 billion
    Land tax on nearby property owners = $1 billion
    Public transport infrastructure tax paid for by property owners = $2.6 billion
    Ticket surcharge paid for public transport users = $1.08 billion
    Higher rates on nearby property owners = $285 million

[ozbob]

^ lol

All very well for the LNP to be critical but what is their plan?  More trams in the Brisbane River or perhaps Mag lev trains to Wide Bay?

The failure cycle continues.   Clear that the LNP should they be returned to Government will stop CRR if it has not been progressed and come up some other fantasy plan along the lines of Cleveland Solution and BaT - although the B  of BaT is sorted of course.

Just heard the Premier on 4BC radio news " I am going to fight for this project " ...

It really is a mess overall hey?

Rail fail.

NGR fail.

RPL fail.

CRR fail.

[ozbob]

" ... Infrastructure Australia took the extraordinary step today of issuing a statement confirming there were a number of outstanding concerns surrounding the Cross River Rail business case. ... "

No sign of this on the IA website @ http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/

[Stillwater]

The LNP media statement makes no constructive contribution to public debate around CRR.  The media should ignore it, instead asking the LNP leadership team whether that party supports the 'CRR Lite' project and whether it will work in government to build it.  The LNP should be asked for its CRR funding model.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, where commuters have to get about using PT, Ms Palaszczuk and Ms Trad should take this home for essential reading on a wet weekend:

http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/files/Capturing_Value-Advice_on_making_value_capture_work_in_Australia-acc.pdf

[achiruel]

^ lol

All very well for the LNP to be critical but what is their plan?  More trams in the Brisbane River or perhaps Mag lev trains to Wide Bay?

The failure cycle continues.   Clear that the LNP should they be returned to Government will stop CRR if it has not been progressed and come up some other fantasy plan along the lines of Cleveland Solution and BaT - although the B  of BaT is sorted of course.

Just heard the Premier on 4BC radio news " I am going to fight for this project " ...

It really is a mess overall hey?

Rail fail.

NGR fail.

RPL fail.

CRR fail.

+ Bus reform fail

Anyone got others to add?

[Stillwater]

Irrespective of the ranking of CRR on Infrastructure Australia's priority list several years ago, the No.1 IA infrastructure project for Queensland is the Ipswich Motorway Rocklea-Darra Stage 1c.

High Priority Projects are potential infrastructure solutions for which a full business case has been completed and been positively assessed by the Infrastructure Australia Board. A High Priority Project addresses a major problem or opportunity of national significance.

The next ranked projects are 'priority projects'.  Priority Projects are potential infrastructure solutions for which a full business case has been completed and been positively assessed by the Infrastructure Australia Board. A Priority Project addresses a nationally-significant problem or opportunity.

In this category are the M1-Gateway merge upgrade, Bruce Highway Cooroy-Curra Stage C (underway), Stage 1 of the Mackay Ring Road, and M1 Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes.

CRR is listed among the High Priority Initiatives.  High Priority Initiatives are potential infrastructure solutions for which a business case has not yet been completed. A High Priority Initiative seeks to address a major problem or opportunity of national significance.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Jackie Trad accuses Infrastructure Australia of politicising Cross River Rail funding

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Jackie Trad has accused Infrastructure Australia of politicising the funding for Cross River Rail.

The attack came as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was willing to send two of the state's top bureaucrats, Dave Stewart and Frankie Carroll, to meet with Infrastructure Australia to sort through any issues with the $5.4 billion project.

"If I have got to fly officials down to Canberra to sort this out next week I will," she said.

Ms Trad said she believed the independent infrastructure body had changed its mind on Cross River Rail for "political reasons", after it was listed as the country's top infrastructure priority in 2012.

"It seems to be that under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and under Infrastructure Australia today they have a different view," she said.

"I think they have come about that not on the technical evidence that has been supplied in the business case or the economic benefits detailed in the business case but for political reasons."

Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said more work was needed on the business case before money could be invested.

"We're looking forward to the Queensland Government doing that work, providing the information to Infrastructure Australia," he said.

"Infrastructure Australia, the independent body, will provide advice back to the Commonwealth."

But Ms Trad said it was "such a furphy" the business case needed more work.

"A 2000-plus page, $7 million business case that has been independently reviewed was submitted to Infrastructure Australia more than a year ago," she said.

"We need this project to go ahead, we need the Federal Government to come on board and to participate in this nation-building piece of infrastructure."

An Infrastructure Australia spokeswoman said it had "written to the Queensland Government on a number of occasions" since the business case was provided last July.

"On each occasion the Queensland Government has replied," she said.

Shadow infrastructure minister Deb Frecklington said the State Government was in damage control over its handling of the Cross River Rail project.

"Jackie Trad needs take responsibility for what is contained in the business case that she submitted to Infrastructure Australia instead of trying to blame the Prime Minister," she said.

[#Metro]

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Jackie Trad has accused Infrastructure Australia of politicising the funding for Cross River Rail.

Great headline. Everything is Queensland is politicised. To have Jackie Trad say that IA is politicised - how ironic!

[Stillwater]

Ms Trad wants to cut a special deal on CRR with the feds -- a funding commitment without the Business Case being completed.

When it comes to the Adani Mine, she wants that proposal to be subjected to the full round of government scrutiny and process approval.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-cabinet-divided-over-adani-royalties-holiday-for-carmichael-mine/news-story/9ecaed02bb464017d551be305a223ce3

[Cazza]

If Ms Trad ACTUALLY wanted CRR to be built, then she would review and improve the business case like everyone is suggesting. But all she is doing is blaming other people for her own fault.

Projects like this SHOULD NOT be politically motivated. They should be built just because they need to be built. It's as simple as that. As soon as politicians step in the way it becomes as likely as a maglev train from Broome to Armidale. Politicians just f*ck around with projects rather than getting on with the job.

And then, when the election booths are rolled out and they don't get elected, all they do is just whinge and whine about how bad the other party is and pick out the tiniest mistakes and completely go over the top.

And then, the party in power does nothing because it just blames the opposition government for screwing things up and not moving things forward. Then they get overthrown because they've done nothing beneficial.

Then that takes us back to square one.

Politicians are only focused on the present. Why? Because there's a chance that they won't be in power in 3-4 years so if they keep the people happy now, then they will get good publicity. This is why in QLD, nothing gets done and we keep slipping behind the other states. If they switched their mindsets to the long term, they would see a huge benefit to the people, not just them!

[SteelPan]

CRR is "critical" in ONE aspect, Brisbane desperately needs more rail corridors through its inner-city.

Beyond the above much needed aspect, I've always thought CRR was a pretty lightweight proposal really. It really doesn't "do much" and it's a lot of coin for "not doing" much. Look at what Sydney and Melbourne both already have in underground infrastructure and both are underway with building a lot more.

Just back from a few days in Sydney and what a breeze to jump on a train at Town Hall and head up to Bondi Junction in a matter of minutes - you simply can't do that type of thing in Brisbane and we're a couple generations behind in getting on with the job.

Yes I know, we are not them and they are not us and different cities march to different beats......but we're still stuck with a black-n-white world in many respects.

Now, if CRR took some steroids and added highER speed corridors from the inner-southside region [to Beenleigh], underground or elevated along the M1 corridor, to highER-speed the entire Brisbane/GC corridor.....then you're starting to talk serious pay-off for the money invested!

Yes, Qld needs to also UP its tax take, to start to pay for some first-class infrastructure.  Low taxes sound great, but at the end of the day, quality public infrastructure costs. Mind you, donating well over a billion to the likes of IBM for failed payroll software doesn't help!

A way over-staffed public sector is another real issue and I've not even touched on the "special needs" like rail operator in this state!

The only positive of the last 12 months or so.....there's no denying now the issues!

[ozbob]

Too right SteelPan.  The ' issues ' are on display for the world!

...

Meanwhile.

Sunday Mail 21st May 2017 page 75

Traps with Peter Cameron

PITT GUNG-HO

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th March 2017

CRR and Brisbane ' Metro ' are an integrated public transport solution

Good Morning,

It is now appropriate to join Cross River Rail (CRR) and the Brisbane ' Metro ' Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) plans together conceptually and promote the integrated public transport solution they are for Brisbane and SEQ. Both projects are integrated from an operational perspective, CRR and BRT ' Metro'  should not be seen as competing projects, but as two elements of the single public transport solution.

Presenting both projects in this light will be seen by many, including the Federal Government and Infrastructure Australia, as the correct path now to public transport resilience, capacity, and hence successful delivery and outcomes. Both projects will provide the economic stimulus that is needed.

It is sad that the  Queensland LNP seem to be the only major player that does not understand the need for Cross River Rail.
[ LNP Opposition Media release  STATEMENT: Brisbane Metro http://www.timnicholls.com.au/statement-brisbane-metro/ ]

The Queensland LNP has previously stamped their public transport credentials as very mediocre with such absurd proposals as the ' Cleveland Solution ' and the ' Bus and Train ' tunnel.  They are consigning themselves to irrelevancy once again unless they come on board with the integrated public transport solution that CRR and the BRT ' Metro ' now promises for SEQ and Brisbane.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Cross River Rail --> https://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/

2. Brisbane ' Metro ' -->  https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro

[Stillwater]

There is an interesting story in today's CM (page 6) highlighting a report exposing a trend for workers to find jobs in the suburbs.  While the number of workers travelling to the CBD will rise, in sectors such as education and health, the jobs will be elsewhere.  It quotes a spokesperson for 'Stronghold Investment' saying that the $5.4b for CRR could be better spent on transport infrastructure in the 'burbs.

[ozbob]

^ see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12760.msg192800#msg192800

I have had some brief discussions with them on twitter this morning.  They really do not understand what CRR is actually about.

[Stillwater]

^ Thanks Ozbob.  It sounds like a group of self-serving organisations, associations and individuals who scaped together enough money to hire some crowd to prepare a report supporting their standpoint.  Property Council also says 'no CRR betterment tax' because it doesn't want any of the profits its members make on developments around CRR precincts handed back to government.  These things need to be called out for what they are, because a jittery government and opposition jumping at any shadow right now, for fear of alienating one voting block or another.  Bugger the public good.

[Stillwater]

TransLink obviously thinks it has an image problem.  Running ads on TV with the message 'Get On Board'.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: Queensland must start Cross River Rail with or without Commonwealth

LAST week, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Infrastructure Australia described Brisbane's Cross River Rail proposal as inadequate in a number of respects.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester also said more work was needed on the business case before money could be invested.

But with no clear time frame set for resolution, there are at least two good reasons why the Queensland Government should bite the bullet and lead off with its highest-priority infrastructure project.

First is the impressive wider benefit flowing from the project to Queenslanders around the southeast; and secondly, even with the state's fiscal constraints, the project is affordable.

Had the Cross River Rail track been laid "on-ground" rather than in underground tunnels below the clustered cityscape, its business case would have shown it being a "no-brainer".

But three project incarnations over eight years have each said on-ground rail is not possible for the majority of the route, meaning construction costs are at about $495 million per kilometre, rather than $80-$90 million per kilometre for standard passenger rail and stations.

When the business case fog finally clears, it will likely show a modest benefit-cost ratio either slightly above or below 1.0. This isn't surprising; in fact, it's in line with what's expected from this sort of project.

There are several reasons for that, but a key one is that projects in mature rail networks don't tend to produce the impressive BCRs of projects where connectivity is still poor.

For projects in alignments such as Cross River Rail, amassing benefits to balance the unusually high construction costs is problematic, but it's high time we moved past this.

You only have to look a little further south to see examples, where the Victorian Government is getting on with two of that state's transformative rail projects, both having BCRs either less or more marginal than Cross River Rail.

The much-lauded $8 billion level crossing removal project has a BCR of just 0.78, meaning economic benefits of just 78c for every $1 spent.

And with a hefty price tag of $10 billion, the wholly state-funded Melbourne Metro has an initial BCR of just 1.1, with extra scope and costs likely to drive the final BCR down a dot point or two below 1.0.

The fact that track needs to be laid underground, like The Tube in London, impacts on Cross River Rail's benefit-cost ratio.

Infrastructure Australia itself acknowledges that BCRs are simply an indicator of the economic merit of a proposed initiative, and that where projects have a broader social, environmental or economic impact that's difficult to monetise, a BCR of less than 1.0 may still be acceptable.

If the strength of BCRs alone had been reason to build the great underground metro systems of the world in places such as London, New York and Paris, they simply wouldn't have been built. Ditto the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

These city transformation projects often take time to accrue wider net benefits, not contemplated by any BCR.

But invariably they become indispensable infrastructure, increasing investment, liveability and connectivity of the city and its surrounds.

We have to get back to what people most value. TransLink customers from the Gold to Sunny coasts demand more frequent services, less waiting time at stations, more reliable on-time services, better safety and access to seats on trains.

It's this that should top our thinking, not the limitations of this particular cost-benefit assessment. And to southeast Queenslanders more broadly, it's the promise of safer journeys, not queuing as long for the bus, and not getting stuck for hours in congested arterial and M1 traffic.

So why is it affordable? Use of a public-private partnership for the project's $3.5 billion twin 5.9km tunnel underground stations allows the state to tap into private sector finance for an upfront capital injection, spreading repayments over a 25-year concession period.

Used extensively on major transport projects such as the Clem7 tunnel and second Toowoomba Range crossing, this delivery option would also create a seven-year "construction window", freeing up much needed funds to spend on other state projects.

The Federal Government has also invited the Cross River Rail project to be considered in its new $10 billion, 10-year National Rail Program announced in the Federal Budget, with money flowing in 2019-2020, well within the time-frame required to service PPP payments.

It's also no secret that Queensland persistently underspends its capital works budget, sometimes by more than $1.5 billion per year.

The 2016-17 Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review showed Queensland will be $2.5 billion lower in the period between 2015-16 to 2018-19, and $655 million lower than the 2016-17 Budget, with this figure likely to grow.

So even without a PPP to defer capital, the annual expenditure of this seven-year project would be about half of Budget underspend each year.

On the back of those figures, try telling our hungry builders and civil contractors that it's not affordable.

If Cross River Rail really is the state's No.1 priority project, I see good reason for the Palaszczuk Government to lead off and act decisively in the upcoming State Budget.

Steve Abson is chief executive officer of the Infrastructure Association of Queensland

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd May 2017

Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow!

Good Morning,

Mr Steve Abson CEO Infrastructure Association of Queensland makes a case this morning for the Queensland Government to start Cross River Rail with or without the Commonwealth.  Something we have previously called for as well.

Couriermail --> Opinion: Queensland must start Cross River Rail with or without Commonwealth

Cross River Rail is needed as soon as possible.   It is a very sound project that will significantly improve mobility for all SEQ, not just for Brisbane.

Time to get cracking Premier!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets 17th May 2017

Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow!

Greetings,

Prime Minister Turnbull has said this morning* that the states cannot keep " using the federal government like an ATM"  to get money for infrastructure projects.

[ * http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/05/17/10/44/turnbull-to-qld-i-m-not-an-atm ]

So it does look like the PM is not going to play ball with Cross River Rail.  The Queensland Government should start Cross River Rail with its own finances.

This is how a RAIL Back On Track Member has commented this morning on the stalemate for infrastructure in Queensland.

Nailed it don't you think?

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.msg192597#msg192597

Both sides of politics are serial offenders when it comes to planning and funding major infrastructure in Queensland.  Both assume that 'daddy moneybags' federal government, not the state, will pay for everything.  Therefore, the game plan is to float ideas of one kind or another - some practical others not - and call upon the federal government to fund the latest brain fart.  When there are practical solutions, such as the SCL duplication, the project is delayed and delayed and put through various studies and business case analyses to delay construction, while giving the impression that the project is progressing.

When we have major projects, such as CRR, an incoming government cannot bring itself to fund it (even if they had the money) because that would be implementing the previous government's agenda.  Usually, there is some case mounted that 'we have a better, cheaper idea' and we get ideas such as the BAT and Cleveland Solution being floated and going nowhere.  Delays, delays.

All the while, endless strategic planning documents are produced, outlining some future Utopia.  The Queensland Plan, Connecting SEQ 2031, Shaping SEQ etc.  The electorate is promised a better tomorrow always.

But when the deadline to implement something that was promised looms, what happens?

A further document is produced, another study is ordered.  The promised project is delayed while the job is reviewed.  Ultimately, the next fanciful idea is put forward, as a ploy to distract the populace from the political undertaking to build whatever was promised.  When called to account by community groups and the media, the government says it has moved on from that idea to the new one -- often to be delivered 10 or 20 years into the future.  We are told to cling to that new hope.  The pollies get kudos, or claim it, for the glossy brochure and the fly through.

The business case for Beerburrum-Nambour duplication and upgrade is done (for about the fourth time).  Now, when the expectations is that it will be constructed, the excuses begin.  Canberra didn't include it in the Budget.  We have a better idea - bullet trains running from the Gold Coast to the Wide Bay.

The reality is that the doable and the practical solution never gets done.  It is the Queensland disease.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg192427#msg192427 ]

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 ]

[Stillwater]

It's hard to fathom Jackie Trad's motives or consistency as a senior Minister. On one hand she is trying to cut a special deal for CRR funding with the federal government, without completing a project business case while, on the other hand, insisting that the Adani Coal Mine Project jump through all the administrative hoops, with no deal being possible in respect of a staggered royalty payment scheme for the Indian resources giant.

Reportedly, at the 11th hour, Ms Trad and her Left Labor faction are standing in the way of a $16b project for the state that would provide thousands of jobs precisely where the Katters and One Nation says they should be created, opening up under-developed parts of the state. 

What's being contemplated is not radical – that Adani pay reduced royalties to the state for the coal it extracts in the start-up and early establishment stages of the new mine, with the royalty payments becoming progressively higher when the mine is in full production and the company has a greater capacity to pay.  The total amount of royalties to be paid remains the same, just the scheduling of the payments changes.  It is no different to someone paying an interest only mortgage in the first 2-3 years of a housing loan, while they face the costs of buying furniture etc, and then paying principle and interest after that.  What is Ms Trad's objective if the end game is that Queenslanders get the full benefit of the royalties due?

She also continues to play silly buggers with CRR.  The motive is political.  And electors can't help but contrast Ms Trad's stance on Adani and the prosperity and jobs that project will bring to the people of western Queensland and her desire to have her fingerprints all over CRR, which benefits inner-city Labor seats.  Ms Trad's base is West End, where there is a strong Greens vote.  That constituency would object to Adani in the main.  The raw politics is exposed.  A delayed (until after a state election) or cancelled Adani mine would appeal to the Green constituency in inner-Brisbane while being a slap in the face for people in the bush who want jobs and prosperity.  Bugger them, they don't vote Labor!  So, is this a government for all Queenslanders or just those who support Labor?

Is it no wonder that two in three Queenslanders believe that infrastructure critical to the state's growth is being planned poorly. (Today's CM, page 10.)  A credible survey has found that 62 per cent of Queenslanders believe investment in, and development of, infrastructure is poor or very poor.  That's not really surprising, given the debacle and political gamesmanship around CRR, from both sides of politics it must be said.

When IA seeks further details from Ms Trad and her government about how CRR will integrate with Brisbane Metro, other transport networks and with precinct redevelopment and urban renewal, she accuses apolitical bureaucrats of 'being political'.  They are being political for seeking from Ms Trad and State Labor that which two-thirds of Queenslanders want – better planned and integrated infrastructure projects.

That's both audacious and dangerous politically, because the survey results may translate directly into how people vote on the ballot paper at the next state election.

[Stillwater]

Steve Abson: "It's also no secret that Queensland persistently underspends its capital works budget, sometimes by more than $1.5 billion per year."

IT'S TRUE.  Queensland constantly demands additional money for infrastructure when year-on-year, it cannot shovel the money it has on hand out the door fast enough.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard  23rd May 2017

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_23_DAILY.pdf

Private Member's Statements

Cross River Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (10.19 am): In the last few days we have seen the Turnbull government
back Sydney over Queensland when it comes to vital infrastructure.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: I think we might pause the clock for a moment.

Ms TRAD: Analysis done by the Victorian government details that 46 per cent of the federal
infrastructure budget is pouring into New South Wales. What that means is that there is less money for
other jurisdictions, particularly Queensland. There is no new funding for Cross River Rail, the Bruce
Highway or any other major project that would drive jobs and the economy of our state. Sadly, the
so-called independent authority Infrastructure Australia has just become a political tool to be used by
the Turnbull government to avoid investing a fair share into our state.

I want to place on record our engagement with IA since submitting the comprehensive
2,000-page business case in June last year. IA's first set of questions about the business case came
in on 7 July last year and we responded 11 days later. Then IA asked for further modelling, which was
provided in November last year, and guess what? That actually showed an even higher cost-benefit
ratio for the project. Then we had some follow-up questions about this revised modelling that was based
on new policies such as the Fairer Fares scheme and new decisions such as rolling out the European
Train Control System throughout our network. These questions were also addressed. During this period
there were frequent meetings between my officers and Infrastructure Australia.

To be sure they had everything they needed, my director-general wrote to IA on 7 April this year
with the final response to the outstanding questions. If any other information was required this letter
asked IA to contact my agency, and the response from IA was absolute silence. There was not one
word for six weeks until last Thursday when the Prime Minister claimed that there were still issues
outstanding. Then what happened? With behaviour like that it is no wonder the states are losing
confidence in Infrastructure Australia and its CEO, Phil Davies.

Cross River Rail will transform South-East Queensland. It would be a shame if the
Commonwealth government's and Infrastructure Australia's inactions were to cost Queensland
thousands of jobs that will be delivered through the construction and operation of Cross River Rail.
IA has previously ranked Cross River Rail as a critical infrastructure project and a high-priority initiative
notwithstanding their political games. Along with the Brisbane Metro, Cross River Rail will mean more
jobs, better public transport and less congestion for South-East Queenslanders.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

23rd May 2017

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_23_DAILY.pdf

Questions Without Notice

Cross River Rail

Mr KELLY: My question is to the Deputy Premier. Will the Deputy Premier update the House on
the Cross River Rail, particularly the benefits it will bring to rail commuters on the south side, and is the
Deputy Premier aware of any alternative approaches?

Ms TRAD: I thank the member for Greenslopes for the question. I know that the member for
Greenslopes has actually been out talking to his constituents about exactly this project so I do want to
acknowledge all of the good work he is doing on the ground in relation to this.
Cross River Rail is simply our No. 1 infrastructure priority for South-East Queensland because it
means jobs, it means less congestion, it means faster travel time and, ultimately, in terms of people's
lives, it means more time at home with their families.

Cross River Rail is ready to go and, as the Premier has already said, we are deeply disappointed
that the federal government did not make an allocation to this critical infrastructure priority for
Queensland. Forty-six per cent of infrastructure dollars will go to New South Wales, but in terms of
assisting with our No. 1 infrastructure priority there is nothing. We saw a number of projects without
business cases allocated funding out of the federal budget, but Cross River Rail, with a 2,000 page,
$7 million business case, independently reviewed, received nothing—absolutely nothing.

I think when it all comes down to it what is the reason for the federal government not funding
Cross River Rail? It is actually all about politics. Recently it was the federal LNP member for Bowman
who let the cat out of the bag. The federal member for Bowman said on ABC Radio on 10 May in
relation to Cross River Rail—

The LNP opposition will come up with their version and the election this year will decide what we do. Labor can fight it out with
the LNP about what is the most cost-effective solution and we'll be at the table with a $10 billion fund to fund it, but it's got to
stack up.

Steve Austin then asked—

So, the federal coalition wants to wait until after the state election to see what the figures, the final figures will be?

Andrew Laming responded—

If the figures come forward sooner, that would be great, Steve, but let's hear what the state LNP opposition comes up with.

There we have it! There is one reason why Malcolm Turnbull is not funding Cross River Rail and
that is because Tim Nicholls needs a hand up. He needs a hand up because we know, as federal
Attorney-General Brandis said, this is a very, very, very mediocre opposition. One cannot help but give
credit where credit is due: Malcolm Turnbull is trying to do his bit. What that means is that
Queenslanders are losing out on jobs. Queenslanders are being held to ransom because Tim Nicholls,
the member for Clayfield, the Leader of the Opposition, cannot do his job. He has no cut-through, he
has no commitment.

Mr SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Hinchinbrook, I am informed that we have another
group of students from St Mary's College Ipswich in the electorate of Ipswich. Welcome

[Stillwater]

^^ So, girls and boys, CRR remains a political bunfight, even after the CRR Delivery Authority was formed to 'take the politics out of Cross River Rail and prevent it from faltering across election cycles'.  Fat chance!

[ozbob]

^^ So, girls and boys, CRR remains a political bunfight, even after the CRR Delivery Authority was formed to 'take the politics out of Cross River Rail and prevent it from faltering across election cycles'.  Fat chance!

Unbelievable the political dysfunction that is screwing so much these days ...