[Greens-Media] Premier's blame game against rail workers dodges funding cutbacks

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media release - 16 July 2007

Premier's blame game against rail workers dodges funding cutbacks 

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon called on Premier Morris Iemma to accept responsibility for public transport maintenance problems and to stop trying to shift the blame onto rail workers. 

"The Premier's attempt to shift blame for recent maintenance problems onto workers and away from the Labor government is not going to make the trains safer or more reliable," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Premier Iemma would do more for improving reliability and safety on our trains by telling Treasurer Michael Costa to back off on his privatisation push.

"All the Premier has achieved with his buck-passing on the rail debacle is to undermine the job security of rail and maintenance workers. 

"Over the 12 years of this Labor government public transport has been under funded and management have lacked a consistent approach to maintenance.

"Rail and maintenance workers can't do their job properly if their numbers are down and resources are reduced because of Treasury required budget cutbacks. 

"To blame workers for his own government's failings is a crude attempt by the Premier that will not improve maintenance standards on NSW rail. 

"One of the Labor government's core responsibilities is to provide efficient and reliable passenger transport services for all to use.

"The constant harping by the Premier and other senior government people on problems with the workforce is an attempt to lay the basis for the privatisation of rail maintenance services. 

"The classic first stage in any privatisation push is to exaggerate problems associated with the public running of essential services and to blame the unions and workers," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568