Time for Canberra to deliver on Cross River Rail

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull must commit to matching the Palaszczuk Government’s financial contribution to the Cross River Rail and bust congestion in south-east Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would use the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Hobart tomorrow (Friday, June 9) to repeat her request for a matching contribution for CRR.

“My Government has committed $850 million for Cross River Rail.  It will take up to 18,500 car trips off our major arterial roads every day,” she said.

“There can be no more excuses.  The Turnbull Government needs to contribute to Cross River Rail and help my Government cut congestion.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Jackie Trad said she would also be discussing Cross River Rail with Federal Ministers today to attempt to resolve the deadlock.

“Without Cross River Rail, we won’t be able to build the vital connections to our growing regions, including the Sunshine Coast, Flagstone and Springfield lines because we simply won’t have the capacity across our one inner city river crossing, the Merivale Bridge,” Ms Trad said. 

“We have worked co-operatively with the Federal Government and have provided all the information they need to make a decision.

“The Turnbull Government has funded major rail projects in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia but is refusing to give Queensland our fair share.

“This is not good enough.

“We need the Federal Government to start listening to Queenslanders and contribute funding to our number one infrastructure priority Cross River Rail.” 

Media contact:

Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791

Anna Jabour (Deputy Premier's office) 0429 890 942