Scott Morrison and his cronies seem to be bucking the trend seen in the modern-day political climate, where politicians dangle keys in front of its electorate to secure another term in power.
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Instead, the Turnbull Government has invested over $8 billion towards food producers along the east coast finally kick starting long-awaited promises for a national in-land rail freight line.
The long-awaited direct inland rail freight line between Melbourne and Brisbane will get farm produce to ports faster, and provide an economic boost for the wider Riverina and MIA.
But despite the sizable financial commitment, the federal government refuses to paddle too far out of its comfort zone.
The Area News uncovered a raft of evidence to suggest the big bucks would be far better spent building a new line through the MIA, rather than the eastern Riverina.
The cheaper Albury route falls well behind the Narrandera option’s potential yearly freight load, and by-passing the MIA means the chosen route will reuse old infrastructure.
Jim McGann, Griffith mayor 1992-95 and councillor 1982-98, says the federal government realised this wouldn’t work almost two decades ago.
Even back then, farmers were pleading for better infrastructure and an opportunity at getting farm produce to ports quicker.
But among everything else, this planned route doesn’t even reach the ports.
The proposed rail line terminates at the inland suburb of Acacia Ridge in Brisbane, and there’s no agreement in place with the privately-owned Port of Melbourne corporation at the other end of the line.
The comical level of poor decision making makes this whole episode reminiscent of the the Yes Minister’s hospital with no patients.
Maybe political gain remains a higher currency in this rail proposal than the massive price tag and long-term commitment suggests.
But at least we got something, right?
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who represents both Albury and the MIA, welcomed the ‘eastern’ Albury route straight after all the election, despite all the evidence pointing to the superiority of the MIA route .
It looks like the Riverina was gifted an expensive push bike for Budget day this year.
Time will tell whether this bike will do what it’s designed to do for years to come, or quickly rust, fall into disrepair and get sold off.
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