[Greens-Media] Grain transport negotiations: govt should not buckle to Pacific National's demands

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon Media Release 2 April 2008

Grain transport negotiations: govt should not buckle to Pacific
National's demands

With emergency talks to resolve the grain haulage crisis rumoured to be
coming to a head in the next few days, Greens MP and transport
spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on Transport Minister John Watkins
to resist being held ransom by private rail operators Pacific National.

"Pacific National has the NSW government over a barrel, with no other
operator available to haul NSW's bumper grain crop to ports for export,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

"Minister Watkins' mishandling of grain transport means he is now
desperate for a solution, carrying the risk that he will agree to any
exorbitant proposal put by Pacific National.

"While the crisis needs urgent resolution, Minister Watkins must
remember his job is to use public money responsibly.  

"Pacific National and its parent company Asciano have shown their
complete lack of social responsibility by abandoning NSW and Victorian
grain operations to concentrate on more lucrative opportunities in coal
and minerals. 

"It is not feasible to transport the millions of tonnes of grain now
sitting in silos by trucks.

"Farming families, local communities and rail workers need a speedy
resolution of this crisis.

“Farmers are bearing the brunt of NSW Labor's failure to invest in
rail infrastructure in its rush to pursue privatisation and close rural
branch lines. 

"The NSW Farmers Association estimates that already the closure of
branch lines has displaced more than 600,000 tonnes of grain from rail
to road transport, equivalent to 24,000 truck movements pa.

"The Greens renew our calls for the government to return rail grain
haulage to public hands to ensure a effective grain rail network for the
future," Ms Rhiannon said.

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


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au