Tuesday, 13 August 2019


Constituency questions

Mildura electorate


Mildura electorate

Ms CUPPER (Mildura) (14:46): (872) My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. What is the latest information on the government’s efforts to ensure the Murray Basin rail project is completed? Farmers along the Sea Lake and Manangatang lines are deeply concerned about the viability of transporting grain by rail in the coming harvest. Performing routine maintenance on the track, no matter how well-intentioned, will make no difference to the viability of rail as broad gauge in any condition is not going to attract the number of contractors needed for transport prices to be competitive. Without standardisation it will be more cost-effective for farmers to transport their grain by road. That means thousands of additional B-doubles on highly dilapidated roads. It means heightened safety risk to drivers, passengers, families and kids. The Manangatang and Sea Lake lines are critical infrastructure, and we need a clear plan from the government to resolve the funding shortfall and complete the project.