[Greens-Media] Latest branch lines scandal * government cant find audit report

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
11 March 2005


Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has received papers that reveal the government has admitted that it does not have an audit report it commissioned into NSW's rail branch lines. 

"The Greens motion calling for the release of the audit of the rail branch lines was passed unanimously by the NSW Upper House. But now we have both the Office of the Minister for Transport and RailCorp admitting that they don't have or cant find the report," said Ms Rhiannon.

 "The Greens called for the audit report because farmers and rural communities want to know what the future holds for their branch lines.

"The Government paid the engineering consultants GHD Pty Ltd to undertake this branch lines audit and now they say they don't have a copy of the report.

"If the Minister for Transport and RailCorp don't even have the report, you have to wonder what action they plan to take to restore these branch lines.

"The Greens want to know who has the audit report, how much the Minister for Transport paid for it and what he plans to do with it.

"Farmers are looking for certainty and this kind of mismanagement must give them grave concerns.

"Rural communities that have suffered service cutbacks, job losses and a huge rundown in rail infrastructure are entitled to feel betrayed when they learn about this.

"This Government has overseen the dismantling of rail services and infrastructure in rural and regional communities.


The Legislative Council Order for Papers made by Greens MP Lee Rhiannon on 24 February 2005 sought: 
·	The audit of the Rail Infrastructure Corporation's Fifteen restricted rail lines, completed by GHD Pty Ltd commissioned by the Ministry for Transport in 2004, and;
·	Any documents which records or refers to the production of documents as a result of this order of the House.

Contact:  Susie Gemmell - 0408 976 707


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Susie Gemmell
Policy Adviser
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Email   susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    www.leerhiannon.org.au