Federal member for Fadden Stuart Robert says he turned against his “mate,” Tony Abbott because he was “absolutely” confident a leadership change would translate to economic benefits for the Gold Coast.
Speaking on his Facebook Page on Wednesday, Robert – whose electorate includes the Gold Coast – said he has spoken to new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about the Commonwealth contributing funding to the extension of the Gold Coast Light Rail in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“[Turnbull is] a great friend of the Gold Coast and he understands the need for integration [of the light rail system] with the heavy rail system in time for the Commonwealth Games,” Robert wrote to his followers.
“Although public transport is not a responsibility of the Federal Government, this proposal is a priority for our city and I believe we now have an opportunity to reconsider contributing funding to ensure it is delivered for our community.”
Robert says he has long been a supporter of light rail, speaking in Canberra as early as 2008 about light rail on the Gold Coast.
His comments followed an article in the Gold Coast Bulletin, which quoted the Gold Coast MP, “Politics is not about friendship – it’s about capacity and confidence”.
“Those are the rules of the game and we all know them when we enter politics.
“Tony was devastated. I was also devastated but the national interest was fundamental … Mr Turnbull has a wealth of economic experience and there will be a new focus on growing the economy, creating jobs, driving productivity and housing policy.”
Robert says he has been close friends with Abbott since they both went on an official visit to Afghanistan together in 2007.
“This was not a decision I made lightly,” he was quoted as saying.
Light rail is one of three issues Robert said he would raise with the new prime minister. He is also prioritising the economy and community safety.
“Light rail is essential for moving people around denser urban areas and is far more effective than roads,” he was quoted in the Bulletin.
Robert’s words on light rail follow Queensland transport minister Jacki Trad’s statement in State Parliament on Tuesday. Trad said she expected Turnbull to re-think former prime minister Tony Abbott’s decision to “slam” the door on Commonwealth funding for the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 extension.
This is a remarkable development. It augers well for tracked public transport. As far as Abbott was concerned the only good railway was one carrying coal. Hopefully the arrival of Turnbull will loosen the purse strings for more light rail projects/
In another promising development yesterday, the Baird government, having failed to gain the support of the Shooters & Fishers party in the NSW upper house, shelved an attempt to have their Newcastle rail closure bill put before that house. The earliest a vote can take place now would be mid-October.
It also came out that the S&F had a deal with the government (which obviously it reneged on) that they would support light rail replacing heavy rail for the last 2.5km into the Newcastle CBD provided only that the LR ran in the existing rail corridor NOT on Hunter Street. Since the whole aim of closing the rail corridor was to sell the land for high-rise redevelopment, it’s hard to see why the government would have thought they could get away with hoodwinking the S&F and it’s equally hard to see how the S&F could now support the Bill.
There’s a great case for LR elsewhere in Newcastle but not for this LR proposal which will only add 15 minutes to journey time.
Gavin Gatenby
Co-Convenor, EcoTransit Sydney