Abbott And Newman Unite To Halt Cross River Rail

Media Release.

Opposition Transport Spokesperson Jackie Trad has slammed Tony Abbott and Campbell Newman for their failure to act on Brisbane’s vital Cross River Rail project.

Ms Trad said inaction was not an option, with the Cross River Rail a vital project for the future growth and prosperity of Queensland.

“If nothing is done, as Tony Abbott plans, Brisbane’s rail network will come to a screeching halt in 2016 – we will have reached capacity,” Ms Trad said.

“Cross River Rail is a lifeline for Brisbane’s rail system – it will revolutionize the way we travel and the way our city is connected."

“The project is expected to take 14,000 cars off Brisbane’s roads and allow an extra 17,000 people to travel on the rail network during peak hours."

“It will also relieve pressure on the entire South East Queensland rail network, ensuring people from the Sunshine to Gold coasts reap the benefits.”

Ms Trad said it was bad enough Tony Abbott had turned his back on this project, but the fact remains that it is Campbell Newman now standing in the way of progress.

“The Federal Labor Government has put $715 million on the table – the very amount Scott Emerson requested,” Ms Trad said.

Federal Labor has shown they’re committed to seeing this delivered, but Campbell Newman has flatly rejected this offer for purely political reasons.

“The commitment from the Federal Labor Government is now the only opportunity Queensland has to avoid a rail crisis and Campbell Newman is looking for every excuse in the book not to get on with the job."

“Ultimately, what Campbell Newman and Tony Abbott will find is that not only is this bad policy, it will be disastrous politics – Queenslanders want action.”