AusLink to give rail ‘level playing field’ funding

<p>AusLink will give the rail industry a "level playing field" when it comes to funding consideration for major projects, the Federal Government said.</p> <p>De-Anne Kelly, parliamentary secretary to transport minister John Anderson, told the AusRail 2003 conference in Sydney this morning (Wednesday, November 19) that the Government’s transport strategy would deliver a more integrated approach for both rail and road.</p> <p>"Through AusLink, a new project assessment methodology will be introduced, which will help select the best projects to meet the priorities identified in the plan," Ms Kelly said.</p> <p>"The methodology will ensure that priority rail projects are given adequate consideration for funding.</p> <p>"Most importantly for this audience, it will provide an ongoing basis for rail to compete on a level playing field for investment funds and for market share."</p> <p>Ms Kelly said there wis as yet "no calendar" for the release of the eagerly awaited AusLink white paper.</p> <p>Mr Anderson has delayed the release until the government can finalise the "complex policy and planning tasks" associated with the plan, she said.</p> <p>Through AusLink, the Government will employ a rolling five-year national transport plan. </p> <p>This will:</p> <p>&#8226 Define the corridors of the National Transport Network</p> <p>&#8226Outline a national network vision and the key directions that will guide government investment priorities and</p> <p>&#8226 Set out the Government’s investment priorities for the first five years of AusLink.</p> <br />