[Greens-Media] Major parties reject opportunity to debate Newcastle Rail cuts

[Lee Rhiannon]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 3 December 2008

Major parties reject opportunity to debate Newcastle Rail cuts

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the major
parties’ decision today to block debate on a Greens motion calling on
Premier Nathan Rees to retain the Newcastle rail line showed how out of
touch both parties are with the needs of Hunter residents (full motion
below).

"Labor and the Coalition shut down debate on the proposed cuts to
Newcastle rail, despite the fact the government’s CBD taskforce is due
to report next week and parliament does not sit again for three months,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

"It is not surprising that the Coalition were not interested in this
issue as their leader, Barry O'Farrell, has already committed to
removing the rail line in accord with GPT's wishes.

"It was revealing that Labor MPs failed to support debating this motion
that congratulated their colleagues, local member Jodhi McKay and
Transport Minister David Campbell for speaking in support of retaining
the current rail line. 

"Saying the debate on the future of Newcastle rail is not urgent for
NSW Parliament to debate is like saying it’s not urgent to pull the
handbrake on a runaway train. 

"I am concerned that sections of the parliamentary Labor Party are
loosing their resolve to retain the Newcastle Rail line. 

"Their failure to back this motion stands in sharp contrast to the
motion that Newcastle Labor councillors successfully moved on Newcastle
Council last night. 

"Their motion which passed unanimously supports the retention of the
rail line until a fully costed and budgeted viable public transport
system is developed.

"It is worrying that Labor MPs failed to back an opportunity to debate
a motion that most people understand to be Labor policy - keeping the
rail line between Wickham and the Newcastle CBD.

"The failure of Labor and the Opposition to agree to a debate has left
us with a one sided view on whether the line should remain. Blocking
debate in parliament effectively leaves developers GPT and their shonky
surveys to occupy centre stage.

"It appears that GPT authorised the use of telephone 'push polling',
resulting in dodgy survey results that a majority of residents support
cutting the line," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


1.	Ms Rhiannon to move—

1.	That this House notes:

	(a)	that the developer General Property Trust (GPT) has
stated that its proposed retail development in the Newcastle central
business district will be withdrawn if the Government does not agree to
fund the closure of the Newcastle rail line between Wickham and
Newcastle,

	(b)	that Newcastle MP Jodi McKay stated in this year’s
budget estimates, “I can assure you the Government will not give in to
threats by developers ... at no time when they [GPT] were buying up
properties around Newcastle did they say the development would hinge on
the removal of the rail line.”,

	(c)	that Transport Minister David Campbell stated at this
year’s budget estimates, “The Government has looked at this issue
over a long period with the local community. It has come to a position
supporting the community’s view that the heavy rail line should
remain.”

	(d)	that the current rail line puts the beach,
entertainment, commercial and tourist areas of Newcastle in easy access
to Hunter residents and visitors, and provides the basis for
sustainable, transit oriented development of the Newcastle central
business district, and

	(e)	that community-based organisations in Newcastle have
proposed alternatives for linking Newcastle Harbour and the cental
business district, and for landscaping the Newcastle rail corridor.

2.	That this House:

	(a)	congratulates Ms McKay and Mr Campbell for their public
defence of the Newcastle rail line,

	(b)	recognises that the retention of the Newcastle rail
service is crucial to the long term sustai
nable development of
Newcastle, and

	(c)	calls on Premier Nathan Rees to accept the advice of his
Transport Minister and the Member for the Hunter and retain the rail
line and service to Newcastle station.

(Notice given 2 December 2008)



--------------------------------------------------
Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 

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