It has been twelve weeks since the previous Liberal National Government announced $1.6 billion to deliver Sunshine Coast Rail from Beerwah to Maroochydore along the CAMCOS corridor.
Three months on, and we have no commitment from the State Labor Government. Even Federal Labor gave some tacit commitment to the project, albeit on the threshold of polling day.
Across the Sunshine Coast, families and their businesses eagerly awaited a commitment from their State Government to deliver the vital rail infrastructure we need for our growing population.
What we have instead in this Labor State Budget is absolutely despicable: a Budget of smoke and mirrors. No funding, no commitment and no new ideas for rail on the Sunshine Coast. Only rehashed announcements from a stale Labor State Government.
The $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Duplication Project, for which I secured $390 million is not a new announcement. It’s been announced time and again. And the State Government’s contribution to Sunshine Coast Rail from Beerwah to Maroochydore – a measly $4.8 million – is for another study which had already been announced last year.
The people of the Sunshine Coast are sick of playing second fiddle to the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
The Labor State Members for Caloundra and Nicklin should be fighting tooth and nail to secure their government’s support for the project.
Instead, we hear nothing from our Labor State Members of Parliament.
Labor’s silence on Sunshine Coast Rail speaks volumes. They’ve simply given up on Queensland for the glitz and glamour of the big end of town.
We deserve better. We demand better.
I have written to the Prime Minister, Federal Treasurer and Infrastructure Minister calling on them to honour the commitment they made prior to the Federal Election, to support the Coalition’s $1.6 billion for Sunshine Coast Rail.
It’s high time for State and Federal Labor to quit the political games, listen to the people of the Sunshine Coast and get on-board with Sunshine Coast Rail.
Visit www.sunshinecoastrail.com.au to make your voice heard.
