Wednesday 29th August 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is proposing to spend $50 billion on a suburban rail loop for Melbourne but won’t spend a single cent on new trains for the Swan Hill line.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said Daniel Andrews and his city-centric Labor Government have again snubbed Swan Hill promising a multi-billion-dollar rail tunnel through Melbourne’s suburbs while failing to provide reliable rail for country Victoria.
“Daniel Andrews is throwing $300 million at a futuristic plan for Melbourne while ignoring the needs of Swan Hill passengers” Mr Walsh said.
“Our community has been crying out for reliable services that don’t see us arriving late or constantly shunted onto replacement buses.
“While Daniel Andrews is promising billions for Melbourne he’s still failing to provide us with the fast comfortable reliable trains services we deserve.”
Mr Walsh said Daniel Andrews was ignoring the needs of regional passengers yet again.
“Regional Victoria needs a modern regional rail network if we are going to properly decentralise our population but this city-centric Labor Government can’t see past Melbourne’s tram tracks” Mr Walsh said.
“While Daniel Andrews spends millions on ideas for Melbourne the Liberal Nationals are planning for line upgrades new trains and more so that regional passengers have better faster and reliable rail services as soon as possible.”
The Nationals in government will invest $633 million to purchase 96 new VLocity-style trains that will replace the ageing unreliable fleet currently used for regional services including on the Swan Hill line.
