[Greens-Media] If Rees does a Costa on Newcastle rail Labor doomed in Hunter

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - 21 November 2008 - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon

If Rees does a Costa on Newcastle rail Labor doomed in Hunter

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier
Nathan Rees to cut all ties with Michael Costa's plan to cut Newcastle's
rail line or risk annihilation for Labor in the Hunter at the next state
election.

"Premier Rees needs to show leadership and stand up for the Newcastle
rail line. If he leaves the decision up to Newcastle Labor MP Jodi McKay
he is using the coward's way to give up on this vital rail service," Ms
Rhiannon said.

"Ms McKay has been a mouthpiece for the policies of Mr Costa. She owes
her seat to his intervention in the 2007 preselection process and would
still be indebted to him.

"The highest swing against Labor in the 2007 state election was in the
seat of Newcastle. This was followed by a drop in Labor's vote in the
recent local government elections across the Hunter. 

"If the Premier allows the Newcastle rail line to be cut he will be
demonstrating that like his predecessors, Bob Carr and Morris Iemma, he
can not break the stranglehold developers have on his government. 

"In an age of climate change and peak oil removing heavy rail is a
bankrupt step.

"The Greens will oppose any legislation that comes before parliament to
enable this line to be pulled up and campaign to ensure opposition and
cross bench MPs to do the same. 

"Former Transport Minister Michael Costa was willing to sacrifice
Newcastle's public transport to developers eyeing off Newcastle's
spectacular waterfront land. 

"Premier Rees would be advised to distance himself from the kind of
avarice shown by Michael Costa if he wants to shore up support for his
new government.

*Retaining Newcastle rail is critical to building a liveable city
that is attractive to both residents and tourists.

"Keeping the full line will ensure a clean, reliable and inexpensive
form of transport right into the heart of town.

*Axing the rail track will put more cars and buses onto Newcastle*s
roads, causing pollution and congestion and reducing quality of life,"
Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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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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