CountryLink neglect to blame for unsafe crossings

[Cate Faehrmann]

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MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2004

CountryLink neglect to blame for unsafe crossings 

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today accused the Minister for Transport of putting lives at risk, saying that the Carr Government's agenda of closing down CountryLink services has meant that any upgrading of level crossings has stalled.

"The tragic accident at Baan Baa crossing yesterday could have been avoided if this Government hadn't embarked on a deliberate rundown of CountryLink services over the years," said Ms Rhiannon.

"Baan Baa crossing is on the Moree to Werris Creek line, which is one of the CountryLink services the Carr Government has been secretly planning to close down.

"The fact of the matter is, this Government will continue to put lives at risk by refusing to invest in public transport adequately enough so that safety isn't compromised.

"I challenge Mr Costa to come out and tell the public the truth - that the public can't expect safer rail in the future because his Government is simply unwilling to invest in it.

"The Government and Railcorp need to tell the public the real reason that level crossings are taking so long to be upgraded and made safe.  And that is because the Carr Government sees no future for trains on those lines," said Ms Rhiannon.

More information :  Cate Faehrmann	9230 3551	0412 207 043



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