LNP out in the cold on Cross River Rail

Work is ramping up on Cross River Rail, Queensland’s number one infrastructure project and the LNP are the only ones not coming to the party.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jackie Trad said that Cross River Rail was underway with work beginning on GoPrint site last week.

“The Palaszczuk Government has fully funded Cross River Rail and we are getting on with the job of building it,” Ms Trad said.

“Work started on the GoPrint site last week and today we have commenced the formal process to begin procurement for the Tunnels, Stations and Development package which will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership.

“We have received an incredible response from industry, with over 500 people attending our industry briefing last week to hear about how they can play a part in Queensland’s number one infrastructure project.

“Unfortunately, despite overwhelming support from industry and the community, Tim Nicholls and the LNP still refuse to support this critical project and if they are elected they will scrap it.

“In fact, comments last week by federal LNP Minister Paul Fletcher made it clear that the only way that the LNP will get on board with Cross River Rail is if we sell our assets.

“The Palaszczuk Government said we won’t sell Queensland’s income-generating assets and we are keeping that promise.

“Today, we are drawing a line in the sand and have written to Minister Fletcher to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth for the Planning and Development of Cross River Rail.

“The LNP have utterly failed to meet their obligations under the MOU and have not even contributed the paltry $10 million for planning Queensland was promised in October last year.

“We don’t need money or support that we know is conditional on asset sales. That’s not what Queenslanders want.

“It’s clear that the LNP, at all levels of government, don’t know how to deliver the infrastructure that Queensland needs without asset sales.

“While we build Cross River Rail and other critical infrastructure across our state, all Tim Nicholls and the LNP are thinking about is what they can sell off.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Clare Manton 0432 446 268