The Coalition has launched a new “Rescue our Rail” campaign and petition in a bid to pressure the Federal Government to reverse its decision to halt the Inland Rail project at Parkes.
The campaign comes amid growing backlash across regional NSW and Queensland following the Albanese Government’s decision to stop the freight rail project short of Brisbane, despite major sections already being approved, under construction or completed north of Parkes.
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said regional communities were furious about the decision and warned the consequences would be felt across the country.
“The Inland Rail project is a nation-changing project, spanning 1600 kilometres from Melbourne to Brisbane, and connecting regional areas through Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,” Senator Canavan said.
“It would be groundbreaking for communities including Beveridge, Albury, Illabo, Stockinbingal, Parkes, Narromine, Narrabri, Moree, Toowoomba and Ebenezer near Ipswich, but its impact would be felt across the entire country.”
“That’s why the Coalition is asking regional families and businesses to sign the petition to tell Labor to reverse the decision, finish Inland Rail and back our regions.”
The Federal Government announced earlier this month that the project would effectively terminate at Parkes, redirecting funding toward other infrastructure priorities, including Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop.
The decision has sparked outrage across the region, particularly in communities where businesses and landholders had already made major investments based on expectations the line would continue through Narrabri, Moree and into Queensland.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie accused Labor of abandoning long-term freight infrastructure in favour of politically motivated spending.
“The Inland Rail is an investment in the future of a more productive and prosperous Australia but by axing this project the Albanese Government is more about short term spending taking priority over long-term productivity enabling infrastructure,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Inland Rail would take 200,000 truck movements off our roads and cut freight sector carbon emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year by 2050.”
“But Labor is treating our regional communities with contempt, in an attempt to redirect taxpayer funds to bail out the failing Victorian Labor Government.”
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said the decision had devastated many communities across western and north-west NSW.
“People along the Inland Rail route north of Parkes have built their lives and businesses around this project,” Mr Chaffey said.
“They have invested time and money, sold properties and structured businesses based on the commitment that this important project would go ahead.”
Mr Chaffey pointed to the recent approval of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section as evidence communities had every reason to believe the project was moving ahead in full.
“Only 10 weeks ago, Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section received Australian Government approval, the last of the New South Wales sections of the project to be approved,” he said.
He also questioned the decision to redirect funding away from regional freight infrastructure.
“I will be keeping a very close eye on where this money will be spent – instead of going to regional areas it appears to being channelled into projects such as the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop,” Mr Chaffey said.
While the Government claims the $45b final price tag for Inland Rail is too high for the 1600km long nation building project that connects Melbourne to Brisbane to be viable, the federal budget will include another $3.8bn for the Suburban Rail Loop, Melbourne’s controversial and costly 90km public transport project, bringing the total federal contribution to $6b.
Other suburban train projects have also won federal funding, such as $5.2 billion towards a Western Sydney Airport Metro and $4.87 billion for Perth’s Metronet urban rail.
“This is a huge blow for regional Australia and it shows a lack of confidence in our nation’s future. It severely limits our ability to grow industry and exports,” Mr Chaffey said.
The Coalition’s campaign includes an online petition urging the Federal Government to restore the full Inland Rail project, which can be signed at www.rescueourrail.com
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