1. What is your or your party’s policy regarding the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line?

The Australian Democrats believe that the climate change impact of current transport energy use is an issue that is behind the growing realisation worldwide of the need to develop new transport systems and fuels. As rail is more efficient on carbon emissions the Democrats support re-establishment of both freight and passenger services, including the Casino – M’bah line which is the backbone of a rapidly-growing region.

2. Do you or your party support the reopening of the line? Include details of any funding commitments and timeframes to reopen the line.

3. Do you or your party support the running of commuter services on the Casino-Murwillumbah line? Include details of any funding commitments and timeframes to establish commuter services.

This seems to be covered in my response to #2

4. Do you or your party support a rail link between Murwillumbah and Coolangatta Airport so as to link with the Queensland rail system on completion of the southern extension of the Queensland Rail system to Coolangatta Airport. Include details of funding commitments and timeframes to construct a rail link.

I believe that the link to GC Airport is a vital piece of public transport infrastructure going forth into this century when the population is growing and as soon as possible, before the land for a rail corridor becomes difficult/expensive to obtain.

5. What is your or your party’s policy on transferring freight to rail? How would this be achieved? Include details of any funding commitments and timeframes.

Currently 85% of freight on the eastern seaboard is transported via our road networks. One Melbourne- Sydney freight train replaces 150 semi-trailers and rail uses only one third of the fuel per tonne hauled. For this reason the Democrats negotiated a 100% diesel excise cut for rail but unfortunately lack of investment in modern infrastructure has made it hard for rail to be cost competitive. Democrats in the new Parliament would move to:

1. Embody the costs of oil depletion into the price of diesel, petrol and aviation fuel and utilise other green taxes designed to decouple the growth in oil consumption from the growth of GDP. Use the environmental taxes to rebuild and enhance rail infrastructure into all urban areas.

2. Provide a single pool of Commonwealth and State funds for all transport infrastructure, allocated on the basis of clear criteria that includes impact on greenhouse gas emissions and maximises environmental, social and economic gain.

3. Establish a rail specific fund for modernising rail infrastructure.

6. What are your or your party’s polices for managing increased congestion, safety, amenity, social and environmental issues if accessible rail services are NOT provided over the next five years? Include any estimates of the extra costs involved in managing these impacts.

In Australia transport accounted for 13% of Australia's Greenhouse gas emissions. Our transport emissions have increased by 23% since 1990, but Commonwealth agencies have no policies to reduce further increases.

Urban planning and Transport funding continues to favour road over rail and cars over public transport, walking and cycling.

For example, across all levels of Government in Australia from 1998-2004 roads received $47.6 billion – almost 8 times more funding than rail, whilst funding of infrastructure for bikeways and pedestrian safety, amenity and access was minuscule.

The Government to invest in an energy security policy, with both demand and supply side measures, including a carbon price.

7. Briefly describe your personal commitment to get trains on our tracks.

I will join NRTF and personally lobby the government for urgent funding commitments & action. I will never give up. I helped the campaign to bring back the Perth- Fremantle passenger trains when I was in WA where we ultimately succeeded.

8. What actions would you take if elected to get trains on our tracks?

I will be a persistent advocate for the future of rail transport. I will not accept the buck-passing and political inertia that has stymied the wish of the people in this area to have effective train services re-instituted.

9. Would you be prepared to work across party lines and negotiate with State governments and others to get trains on our tracks and a link between Murwillumbah and Coolangatta Airport. Briefly describe what actions you would take.

The Democrats strive to get consensus around important issues and would work to bring all governments and parties together to provide the best infrastructure policies for Australia to go forward, meeting both the needs of our people and emission targets. See action #2 response to your Q #5.

10. Any other comments you wish to make.

I believe this is as much an equity issue as a practical transport one. Many Australians at some time need public transport , especially the economically or physically disadvantaged. Public transport must be efficient to be well-patronised. However we need to realize that government subsidizes many aspects of our community life and the unseen benefits of removing some of the heavy haulage freight must surely be worth a great deal. Forecasts for the growth of both freight and passenger traffic in our region commands us to employ visionary scruples for the public good.