Murray Basin Rail Project slow going under Labor

Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Peter Walsh

Shadow Minister for Regional Development Peter Walsh has called on the Andrews Government to answer growing concerns work on the Murray Basin Rail Project has stalled.
Country communities and the Victorian Farmers Federation have raised concerns at slow progress on the Murray Basin Rail Project, at a time when heat restrictions on our freight rail network brought grain trains to a halt on days above 33-degrees.
Reports have now confirmed the restrictions forced an extra 1000 trucks onto country roads over summer this year.
“Labor’s ridiculously low heat restrictions on our freight rail network forced 1000 extra trucks onto our country roads during the record-breaking grain harvest,” Mr Walsh said.
“Farmers should be reaping the rewards of this year’s bumper harvest, but when Labor prioritises Melbourne rail projects ahead of our regional freight rail it makes it harder to do business in country Victoria.
“Daniel Andrews has had more than two years to progress the Murray Basin Rail Project and yet farmers feel the project has gone nowhere.
“This is despite half the $440 million needed for the project being available since the former Liberal-Nationals government funded it in May 2014, while the final $220 million was committed by the Federal Coalition Government last year.
“There is no reason to delay, but it seems Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan will stop at nothing to short-change country Victorians.”

Media contact: Emma Manser 0437 225 386 emma.manser@opposition.vic.gov.au