The recent sittings of NSW Parliament have included Estimates and Question Time sessions. These sessions give wonderful opportunities for our MPs and the political parties to ask questions and glean information from the government.
With the New England region strangling from the lack of rail passenger and rail freight transport, one would have thought the questions would have been fired quick and fast. But no—there was barely a murmur.
The Shooters and Farmers raised some very interesting questions about the electrification of the rail corridor from Kiama to Bomaderry. Why was the extension of electrification from Newcastle to Maitland, or even Scone, not raised? Why was the extension of the Hunter DMU trains to Scone or even Tamworth not raised?
Where is the funding for the Tamworth Viaduct upgrade, Woolbrook Bridge repairs, or the Ardglen Tunnel reconstruction and expansion—issues raised in the interest of safer, faster and bigger trains for the New England?
There were no questions or issues raised about the reinstatement of our interstate and intrastate coach services that were very active prior to Covid.
Without trucks, Australia stops. Without trains, our community grinds to a halt.
Without trains, the Olympic Games in 2032 will have little impact on our tourism.
There can be no doubt that efficient and environmentally sound trains on the rail corridors of the New England will be a major benefit to the health, wealth and prosperity of us all.
It’s time we got our hard-working MPs on the correct track!
It’s time we railroaded them to deliver rail trains!
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